A lightly fermented cabbage relish with carrots and onions that is common in Central American countries.
Curtido is a Central American form of lightly fermented cabbage that is commonly served as a condiment in various dishes including pupusas. It is similar to sauerkraut or tart cole slaw or even kimchi. I like that it’s super easy to make where you pretty much just mix some shredded cabbage, carrots and onions along with vinegar, water, salt and oregano and let it sit for a few days before enjoy as a side or as a condiment/relish on whatever you wish!
Curtido goes great on El Salvadoran pupusas!
Curtido
Prep Time:10 minutes Chill Time:24 hours Total Time:1 day 10 minutes Servings: 24(6 cups or 24 1/4 cup servings)
A lightly fermented cabbage relish with carrots and onions that is common in Central American countries.
ingredients
- 4 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrot, shredded
- 1 cup onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup vinegar (white or cider)
- 1/2 cup water, warm
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
directions
- Mix everything well, place in a jar, seal and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours before transferring to the fridge.
Option: Add the juice from 1/2 lime.
Option: Add 1/2 teaspoon sugar for a bit of sweetness.
Option: Add 1 jalapeno (thinly sliced) or chili pepper flakes to taste for a bit of heat.
Option: Add 1/2 teaspoon sugar for a bit of sweetness.
Option: Add 1 jalapeno (thinly sliced) or chili pepper flakes to taste for a bit of heat.
Nutrition Facts: Calories 7, Fat 0 (Saturated 0, Trans 0), Cholesterol 0, Sodium 102mg, Carbs 1g (Fiber 0.5g, Sugars 0.8g), Protein 0.2g
Nutrition by: 
ooh, the possibilities! any idea how long will this keep in the fridge?
Maresa: It will keep for a few weeks in the fridge!
Thank you for posting the pupusas and cortido recipe.. I had these as an exchange student in El Salvador in the mid 70s. The unique flavor has stayed in my memory all these years. We had them at a road side stand, bare foot women would pat them out by hand and cook over a wood fire. I have never had anything else quite like them.
Fermented foods like sour kraut use salt not vinegar. Just wondering if you've tried making it that way.
Nancy Graham: I have seen recipes that just use salt and no vinegar but I have not tried it.
Is this safe to ferment in a regular mason jar? or will you need to get a jar that is meant to be used specifically for fermentation?
You can use a regular glass jar of any kind but a Wide Mouth quart or half gallon caning jar work the best. Why: If you are going to ferment the Curtido for its probiotic benefits, a one way vented cap allows excess carbon dioxide to escape and keeps out the Oxygen, the stuff that may destroy your Curtido. I usually ferment my mix 5 to 7 days at “cool” room temperature, and then into the fridge it goes. I always add some kind of chili and a little fresh pineapple. Itt is a wonderful Central American Sauerkraut with lots of “gut” benefits if you ferment it. Add NO Vinegar as it kills probiotic bacteria.