Thursday, February 26, 2009

zukay!




I love this stuff! A few weeks ago, I received a generous offer to try some living condiments. Why living? Because they are your regular run-of-the-mill condiments (salsas, relishes, kimchis, pickles), infused with probiotic cultures. You know, the friendly bacteria that make sauerkraut and yogurt so good for you!

I received mild and hot salsas, and garlic and horseradish varieties of the relish. At first I was a little hesitant to try them, so I took them to our friend's house, thinking if many of us sampled these together, we'd be safe! As I opened the jar of mild salsa viva, it bubbled and exploded dangerously onto my friend's counter-top! We were amazed and mildly disturbed, but bravely decided to dip our tortilla chips into this monster anyway. And you know what? It was fizzy! This stuff definitely is alive! But after the first rush, it just tastes like a really fresh, homemade salsa. The 6 of us easily polished off a whole jar of the salsa (and a large bag of tortilla chips) in one night. Next up, the relishes- they are mild, but flavorful, and went great on some vegan sausage sandwiches and also as a dip. The hot salsa viva we tried was more intense and bubbly than the mild stuff, and it received mixed reviews. Most of my friends seem to prefer the mild, though I'm good with both. And my belly definitely appreciates the probiotics.

I'm anxious to try some of Celine's ideas for Zukay foods- in the meanwhile, you can go to their website and order some or see what stores near you carry it, so you can try the stuff for yourself! You won't be disappointed, and you'll be supporting a small and friendly company!

Zukay Live Foods

Coming up soon... remember that giveaway I promised a long time ago? I didn't forget! It's coming!
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15 comments:

Nicole said...

I loved these as well! So good. I was a bit surprised when my bubbled over :D

Anonymous said...

This stuff sounds like a very cool idea!

panda with cookie said...

Bazuuuuuuu! Blog on!

kmudrick said...

Did they recently change their recipes? Cause I could have sworn their stuff used to not be vegan, specifically saying on the jars that the probiotic source was dairy-based. I see them all the time at Whole Foods.

bazu said...

they are vegan- according to their labels anyway.

kmudrick said...

Sweet, will have to try it.

allularpunk said...

you really have to make those crackers that celine made with the garlic dill relish. they're amazing. they taste like goldfish crackers, but... a million times more awesome.

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

I keep seeing these blogged about and wishing they would send some over to the UK for me!!

Jennifer said...

live cultures will do that. have you ever had kombucha? it explodes sometimes when you open it and makes your tummy feel all weird. zukay sounds good and i think i may have to try the salsa because i'm getting a little tired of eating yogurt every day...

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I'll have to hunt down the Zukay. The nicest thing about fermented foods and probiotics is that you can make them yourself easily for soooo cheap. I'm making sauerkraut, lacto-fermented sodas and kombucha every week!
Love your site - would you consider a Vegan cooking/eating discussion over on HOMEGROWN.org? We'd love to have you join the conversation. Check us out and let me know what you think. Lots of probiotic recipes over there, too :)

Carrie™ said...

This sounds very interesting. I'll keep my eyes open for it. I don't know if it will even be available in Canada, but next trip to Buffalo, I'm going to look for some. It seems to have passed the taste test!

Anonymous said...

You are much more brave than I! I am easily freaked out by anything fermented. I could have done with mild salsa, but the relishes, not so much. I'm glad you liked them, though!

vko said...

Hello my dearest Bazu! It's been so long that I am ashamed to say that you left for Europe months ago & are now officially back- can't believe how much I've missed.

Sounds like you had a great time & can't wait to read more!
As for the Zukay stuff, I love love love me fermented most things like natto, fermented tofu (did you ever taste that jar I gave you- it's okay if you absolutely hated it, it's a hit or miss for most) but I did not care for the Zukay fizziness at all and they sent so much of it that I felt bad...but a friend of mine enjoyed it, so it didn't go to waste.
xox

Anonymous said...

post more! we miss you.

Anonymous said...

Yes! Post more! Those of us who don't Twitter miss you when you don't blog! :)