Even the healthiest of diets need an extra boost every now and then. Whether you’re making an effort to eat a little healthier this month as a resolution, or looking to ease any tummy issues, fermented foods are a great solution. I am so happy to have been given the chance to try out some products from Vibrant Veggies, which is a local company to Colorado that I first discovered at Neat Market (an all-vegan pop-up shop in Denver). They make sauerkraut in four different, fun flavors that happen to be super versatile. I read the other day that fermented foods like kraut are considered a superfood trend of 2015. Normally I don’t follow “diet” trends, but I can attest to the power of sauerkraut in terms of not just flavor, but overall digestive health and beyond.
Fermentation is good for our bodies because it allows for good bacteria in our digestive system. I know you might’ve shuddered at the thought of bacteria in our bodies, but it’s true that after we have been so exposed to antibiodics and generally processed foods, it’s important to start introducing live foods back into what we’re eating. Think for a second about all the fermented foods you eat already; in fact you could probably make a list of things. Bread, alcohol, yogurts, kombucha, pickled foods and of course, sauerkraut are just a few of them. What I love most about Vibrant Veggies is that the flavors make it easy to incorporate them into your meals. Each flavor is so tasty that you might just be tempted to eat some out of the jar with a spoon. Your tummy will thank you regardless of how you enjoy this spectacular kraut!
Vibrant Veggies comes in the Moroccan Fusion flavor, which was the first of theirs that I ever tried. I went with a simple dish of Beyond Meat Chik’n with sautéed garlic, onion and bell pepper over jasmine rice. Just be sure to add the sauerkraut at the very end so you still get all the fermented food benefits. This kraut really helped season the rice and vegan chik’n with a light citrus flavor and some Moroccan spices. On the Vibrant Veggies website they recommend pairing this one with soup, burgers, quinoa, tofu, potatoes and more! I’ve even had it on top of pizza which was surprisingly a fantastic combo!
The Roasted Green Chile is one of their top-sellers, and I can see why! It has a definite kick to it due to the jalapeño and chile peppers, but the carrots and cabbage mixed in the jar really help cool it down. I created a vegan bacon avocado cheeseburger on top of a bed of greens. The other toppings on here were mustard, spicy ketchup and of course Roasted Green Chile kraut. The flavors in this all really complimented each other, it wasn’t too spicy, and the different textures really added to the dish. Looking for some other ideas to have this kraut with? It’s also phenomenal with hummus and crackers, tacos, and rice and beans.
Lemon Ginger Kraut immediately got me excited. I ended up trying this on its own first, and it has an excellent balance of salty, sweet, and tangy. If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw my recent post where I made a Reuben using this kraut, some Tofurky slices and a garlic vegan mayo. Now, you don’t have to get that crazy to enjoy this flavor of Vibrant Veggies. I used it to top a macro bowl of brown rice, edamame and other veggies along with some soy sauce and lemon pepper. What a vibrant, healthy and incredibly flavorful bowl!
One of my favorite ways to enjoy Vibrant Veggies is with some hummus, crackers and veggies. The Vindaloo Curry flavor is phenomenal with some of this Thai Coconut Curry hummus made by Hope Foods. I find this to be an extremely easy way to incorporate some of those fermented foods if you aren’t a big fan of cooking. This is also a great party appetizer idea and it has a fancy, super colorful presentation. You don’t even have to tell your guests it’s a healthy option! Enjoy this on top of curries, with rice and beans, on salads, or whatever else you can dream up!
A gigantic thank you to Vibrant Veggies for providing the kraut, and for all you Colorado, Utah and Nebraska residents check out their store locator to see where you can pick some up for yourself! Hopefully they will spread to the rest of the country, because their products are so wonderful that they really ought to be enjoyed by more people. Did this post inspire you to incorporate more sauerkraut and other fermented foods into your diet? If so, comment below what kinds of foods or dishes you’re thinking of having soon!