ZINE CREAMERS - WILD FERMENTATION

Sandorkraut Ellix Katz is the real dill when it comes to brine pickles. Wild Fermentation is the ultimate zine, aged to perfection. Katz wrote a book in 2003, but this zine here is the one that started it all. He is an herbalist, activist, retired policy specialist, a Whoopi Goldberg biographer, and a Brown graduate who was diagnosed with AIDs. He began developing a symbiotic rhythm with these microbial cultures as they had such a remarkable nutritional value. Katz has moved deep into the woods, practicing and crafting these special recipes. He considers these fermented foods crucial to his healing process and feels more alive with every batch of bacteria. (Click on any of the recipes to enlarge.)

Although there are new, anti-biotic germ-killing soaps and drugs surfacing on our market, Katz says, "Whatever a capsule can feed you, a regular variety of live fermented foods can feed you infinitely better." Yeast and bacteria exist everywhere, in every breath, in every bite—they are there and we can use them to our advantage. Fermentation has so many nutrients and so much flavor to offer. Just imagine buttermilk tears streaming out of Katz's beady caper eyes as he says, "Taste some miso soup or fresh kraut and your body's taste buds will tell you that this is something your body needs." Its true, time to reclaim the earth, your mind, and body! Everyone say tempeh!

MAGGIE LEE