German Sauerkraut Balls

Updated at: Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:36:20 GMT

Step 1

Add potatoes to pot and cover with cold water and place on stove over high heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer until easily pierced with a knife, about 15-20 minutes, depending on size. Drain, then immerse in cold water. Once cool enough to handle, remove skins.

Step 2

Squeeze as much liquid from the sauerkraut as you can, then add into a large bowl along with potatoes, egg, ¼ cup bread crumbs, parsley and spices. Mash them with a fork until potatoes are mostly mashed and everything is thoroughly mixed.

Step 3

Spread the remaining 1 cup of breadcrumbs on a plate. Form the potato sauerkraut mixture into golf ball sized spheres, about ⅛ of a cup of mixture per ball. Roll them in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.

Step 4

Place balls on parchment paper lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 5

Preheat ¾ inch of cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 350°F. Add ball to hot oil and cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 6

Remove and drain on paper towel lined plate. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Step 7

1.Potato Choice: For best results, opt for starchy potatoes like Russets. 2. Squeeze That Kraut: Really wring out the sauerkraut to avoid excess moisture which can make the balls fall apart. 3.Breadcrumb Options: For more flavor, season your breadcrumbs with herbs or garlic powder. 4.Chill Factor: Don’t skip the chilling step; it helps the balls maintain their shape during frying. 5. Perfect Sizing: To ensure all of your balls are equal in size, consider using a cookie scoop to portion the potato mixture. 6.Test Fry: Fry one ball first to check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. 7.Temperature Check: Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays around 350°F for consistent frying. 8. Batch Cooking: Don’t overcrowd the skillet; fry in batches for even cooking. 9.Sauce Prep: If making a homemade dipping sauce, prepare it in advance to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Though they won’t be as crispy, this healthier variation is still tasty. Just preheat your oven to 375°F and bake them for 20 minutes, flipping half way through, on a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Step 9

As mentioned above, many like to mix in different kinds of meats, they are super tasty this way! The most popular meats to use are ham, sausage and ground pork.

Step 10

Make sure to fully cook your meat first, then break up or dice. Then just stir into your mixture before forming the balls. Try ½ pound of meat for this recipe.

Step 11

Some people also add cream cheese or diced onion for different flavor profiles.

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