The latest by the suddenly prolific The Nude Polka Kings goes along with the heritage and Slavic influence found in the Polka as an art form. Making Sauerkraut Polka conveys the love many people, not just of Polish or Slavic origins, have for sauerkraut. It's very popular in Germany, France and has spread around the world. Kimchi, the Korean version adds many different ingredients to the mix, including hot pepper flakes! Fermenting of food was discovered so long ago nobody knows exactly when. It is a way to preserve food without refrigeration by utilizing the natural organisms found on food.
The chemical reaction of food containing natural sugars and microorganisms gives fermented food its sour flavor. Salt is usually added to chopped cabbage and the mixture is put in water. As long as the food is completely submerged in the water, there is no danger of the fermenting process going wrong, in which case the food will start to rot and no longer be edible. Chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and other things can be added to the cabbage for a different flavor. Many vegetables can be fermented by themselves as well. Each will have the characteristic sour flavor along with their own particular taste.
One of the members of this band is Stanisław O'Reilly. Yes, you read that right. His mother is of Polish heritage, his father of Irish heritage. Evidently they wanted to pay homage to both sides of the family! He goes by the shortened version of his name, and Stash knows what he's talking about when it comes to sauerkraut. He makes barrels of the stuff for his family and friends, and has a cabbage chopping party a few times a year. People gather at his house, some of them bringing old time cabbage shredders. Like the song says, it ends up being a wine drinking (and other alcoholic beverages) party, with everyone that helped getting some of the sauerkraut!
Back in the old country
Folks lived on the farm.
They raised their own food to eat
That did them little harm.
They raised their own livestock,
Vegetables too
When they grew too much cabbage,
This is what they'd do!
They'd make sauerkraut, made it in big pots,
Slice up lots of cabbage, lots and lots and lots!
Pour the salted water in, swish it all about.
Traditional cabbage shredder
Let it stew for a week or two, making sauerkraut!
We don't live on the farm anymore,
Kind of wish that we would
It was a lot of real hard work for sure,
That is well understood
It was work that kept you healthy,
And you made your own way,
Homegrown meat and vegetables,
That is why we say!
They made so much sauerkraut, it last all winter long.
While they danced the polka, and sing their happy song.
They drink homemade beer, eat kielbasa and kraut.
That is what living is all about!
Some people just detest it,
hate it through and through.
There is no denying,
that it's a special brew.
Sour and crunchy,
a little salty as well,
And some say it stinks
like the devil's feet in hell!
We still make sauerkraut, chop it nice and fine.
Get the folks together, drink a little wine.
We eat it every day, and we don't hesitate,
It prevents you from getting sick and won't constipate!
So if you can't make it, at least eat it!
Slavic penicillin!
Put hair on your chest,
and led in your pencil!
[Woman] But I don't want hair on my chest, and I don't have a pencil!
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