Zelnicky Czech Sauerkraut Crackers

Zelnicky Czech Sauerkraut Crackers

Czechs and sauerkraut are a perfect match! I'm excited to share a great recipe for zelnicky, salty crackers made with sauerkraut. With just a few humble ingredients, you can create a delicious treat that will surprise you!

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Czech

Keyword Recipes with sauerkraut

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings pieces

Calories 70kcal

Author Petra Kupská

Ingredients

9 ounces sauerkraut without brine, squeezed
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 ½ ounces pork lard (or any solid shortening)
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon caraway seeds crushed or ground

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Drain and squeeze 9 ounces sauerkraut. Finely chop it with a sharp knife to ensure there are no long shreds.
Put the chopped sauerkraut, 4 ½ ounces pork lard, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon caraway seeds in a large mixing bowl. Work the mixture into a soft dough. If it is too sticky, sprinkle with additional flour and incorporate it into the dough.
On a floured pastry board, roll out the dough to a thickness of about ⅛" (0.4 cm). Using a glass or a cookie cutter about 3" (7 cm) in diameter, cut out rounds. For a quicker option, cut the dough into strips and then into squares.
Use a flat knife to lift the cut Zelníčky and transfer them to a baking tray lined with baking paper. If you don't have baking paper, you can use an ungreased cookie sheet instead.
Bake the biscuits in a preheated oven at 380 °F for 20-25 minutes. Their surface should be golden but not brown.

Notes

The basic recipe makes about 30 pieces of zelnicky.
SERVING: These crackers taste fantastic, much like fried chips, salty nuts, or any other snack. They pair well with a glass of white wine. Bake them for a family gathering or to introduce Czech cuisine to your friends. Arrange the crackers in a bowl and place them on the table for everyone to enjoy.
Tweak the recipe by adding ground crackling, a little black pepper, or sweet ground paprika. Some people also add bacon or other smoked meat cut into small cubes.
The crackers have a unique, slightly sour taste thanks to the sauerkraut. Right after baking, the zelnicky biscuits are wonderfully crunchy. If you leave them out overnight, they soften a bit the next day. However, they still taste great.

Nutrition