Choucroute

Yield
6
Cooking Time
4 hours and 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 lb smoked ham hocks
  • 1 lb bratwurst
  • 8 oz thick sliced bacon cut into one inch pieces
  • 2 onion
  • 1 tsp juniper berries
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 10 cloves
  • 8 whole allspice
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 red delicious apple
  • 4 lb sauerkraut
  • 2 lb kielbasa
  • 1 lb knockwurst
  • 2 C alsatian pinot blanc or other dry white wine
  • 2 lb red potatoes
  • 2/3 C fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Place ham hocks in large saucepan and add enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Bring to boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until meat is very tender, about 2 hours. Transfer hocks to medium bowl.
  2. Boil broth until reduced to 2 cups, about 15 minutes. Remove meat from bones and discard bones. Place hock meat in medium bowl and reserved broth in separate bowl.
  3. Heat heavy large pot over medium-high heat, then add bratwurst, and bacon. Sauté until bacon is crisp and bratwurst is brown, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon and bratwurst to the bowl with ham hocks.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  5. Add onions, spices and bay leaves to the same pot. Sauté until onions are tender, about 5 minutes, then add apples and sauté 2 minutes more. Mix in sauerkraut and all meats, reserved broth and wine. Boil 10 minutes. Cover choucroute and bake 1 1/2 hours.
  6. At the one hour mark, heat a medium pot of water to boil and add your potatoes. Cook until tender, about 18 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Cut potatoes in half. Sprinkle chopped parsley on the cut potatoes. Arrange sauerkraut and meats on platter and surround with potatoes. Serve with mustard and horseradish.