Polish Freeze-Dried Corn Kapusta

Get your hands dirty with Polish corn cabbage, here kafas with freeze-dried corn. Kapusta, or sauerkraut and fresh cabbage stewed with meat, is a standard part of the Polish repertoire, easily found in any restaurant. This is our version with dry, sweet, and chewy corn, a staple from a simpler time.

Ingredients:

1 cup freeze-dried corn

2 cups sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 apple, peeled and grated

1/2 cup diced smoked sausage

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup vegetable broth or water

Fresh dill, chopped for garnish

Preparation:

Step 1: Rehydrate the Corn

Meanwhile let your freeze-dried corn rehydrate for about 5 minutes in some warm water and drain.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Meanwhile, in a large skillet or pot, heat up the olive oil over medium heat, and add the diced onions and peeled garlic, and cook until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.

Step 3: Cook the Sausage

Toss in the chopped smoked sausage and cook until it browns, so it can warm and enrich the rest of the dish.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Sauerkraut goes into the frying pan, followed by the grated apple and the corn (now plumped up to warm, brushed-silk size). Then is the really restrained flourish. Caraway seeds – just a touch. Salt and pepper. The caraway seeds temper the kraut. Sweetness from the apple and corn counter balances the tang.

Step 5: Simmer

Add vegetable broth or water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20-30 minutes. The flavours will blend and the kapusta will cook tenderly.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Boil the kapusta until this thing is browning and cooked through, and all happy flavours have mingled. Spoon out off the heat. Cut some fresh dill just now and garnish the plate. Serve hot as a substantial side dish or meal.

It not only adds an edge of creativity to the cooking of a traditional Polish dish, but also reflects the regional influence of corn with its new texture and sweetness on a savoury, filling dish that renders the belly content and satisfied.