Sandor Ellix Katz aka Sandorkraut is one of my favorite people and so I'm very excited that he's coming back to Portland for an Edible Portland sponsored Powell's Books event for his newest book The Art of Fermentation on Wednesday, November 14th (National Pickle Day!) at 7:30pm at the downtown Powell's. Over the years I've been lucky enough to travel to Nashville to interview Sandor for The Sun Magazine and also invite Sandor to speak along with festival co-organizers at our inaugural Portland Fermentation Festival in 2009. This time around I even get to host Sandor at my home while he's in Portland. Yes! I have so much to be grateful for.
Sandor Ellix Katz and me at Short Mountain Sanctuary, a couple hours south of Nashville, in January 2009.
Sandor's newest book -- which follows his other two titles: Wild Fermentation and The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved -- is an in-depth cultural, anthropological and deeply personal look at fermented foods with loads of DIY inspiration and detailed info. on crafting everything from miso and sake to fish sauce and high meat.
Chelsea Green -- Sandor's Vermont publishing house extraordinaire -- has sent me a copy of the book to give away here as a promo. for the downtown Powell's event. I'm going to run this contest like I always do. I've choosen a lucky number and that numbered commenter gets the book. I'll bring it to the reading on the 14th to give to you and then you can get it signed by the author himself and hopefully we can get a photo of you with Sandor as well.
Here's what I'd like you to comment about for a chance to win -- what's the best fermented food or drink that you've ever had and why? It can be a ferment that you made -- sauerkraut, homemade wine, miso, cheese etc. or it can be something that someone else made or that you bought. I'll start the conversation with my answer -- my homemade fruit wines. So good.
See you at Sandor's book event on the 14th!
The Art of Fermentation By Sandor Ellix Katz Published by Chelsea Green 528 pages $39.95
Downtown Powell's event with Sandor Ellix Katz for The Art of Fermentation Wednesday, November 14th, 2012 7:30pm www.powells.com