American Vinegar Works Choucroute

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Core, half, and then cut cabbage into thin ribbons.  Spread cabbage in a large oven roasting pan.  Drain and squeeze sauerkraut to remove excess liquid.  Spread sauerkraut over the cabbage. Quarter the sweet onions and spread the quarters over the cabbage mix. Space out and nestle the bay leaf into the cabbage.  Sprinkle carraway and fennel seeds over the cabbage. Cut the pork butt into four pieces. Cut the sausages in half.  Place the meat over the cabbage bed and between the onions.  Salt and generously pepper the pork butt and cabbage.  Pour in the chicken stock and Maple Cider Vinegar.

3. Tightly foil the roasting pan and place it in the oven.  Cook for 2 hours or until the pork butt is fork tender.  Remove the foil, turn the oven up to 450 degrees, and cook for an additional 30 minutes allowing the dish to color a bit and some of the excess liquid to evaporate. 

4. Serve hot with mustard (it is fun to give folks several varieties to choose from) and crusty, warm bread. Accompany it with a nice Resiling, Vouvray, or a well-made and not too sweet hard apple cider.