Christopher and Kirsten Shockey have been successfully homesteading in Oregon for more than a decade. Fermented Vegetables sets out to answer the three questions most often raised in the classes they give: "What are the secrets to making a great batch? Which veggies play well together in the crock and which just shouldn't be fermented? Because probiotic foods are so good for us, how can we enjoy them with every meal?"

FERMENTED VEGETABLES is not just just a collection of recipes, but a detailed and thoroughly illustrated instruction manual for preserving more than 60 different vegetables, herbs and spices with the ancient art of brine pickling and fermenting. A calm discussion of the danger signs for batches which might go 'off' as well as tips for making sure they don't adds a feeling of a safety net for those cooks perhaps a bit less adventurous. Although the benefits of adding home- fermented foods to your diet are laid out clearly , there is no sense of evangelical conversion, Kirsten and Christopher Shockey aren't trying to change your life, just offer another way to add value to food you prepare yourself.

Speaking of recipes, the Shockeys include not just recipes for fermenting the items (gingered pickled carrots, for example) but for using the results of your endeavors in recipes ranging from appetizers and cocktails through dinner (the grilled chicken with fermented sweet potatoes sounds kinda good) and even things like sauerkraut macaroons. Yes, there are a few dessert recipes included. Whether or not I choose to prepare any of the recipes (although the pickled turmeric is appealing) I completely enjoyed learning how it all works and perusing the beautiful photos.