Fried Sauerkraut Cakes with Kielbasa

Crispy pan-fried sauerkraut cakes made with eggs, flour, and scallions, topped with browned smoked kielbasa slices. A hearty Eastern European-inspired dish perfect served with warm applesauce.

4 servings
43 min

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sauerkraut
  • 2 large eggs
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup scallion greens
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 pound smoked kielbasa
  • 1 serving applesauce

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 250°F.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Pat sauerkraut dry between paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible, then transfer to a bowl and stir in eggs, flour, scallion greens, salt, and pepper until combined.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Heat 1/4 inch oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Fill a 1/4-cup measure three-fourths full with sauerkraut mixture, then turn out into oil, using a fork to release, and flatten to 3 1/2 inches in diameter with fork. Form 2 more cakes in skillet, then fry, turning over once, until golden, about 4 minutes total. Transfer cakes with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain. Keep cakes warm on a rack set in a shallow baking pan in oven. Fry more cakes in same manner with remaining mixture.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    Brown kielbasa in 2 batches in oil remaining in skillet over moderate heat, turning, 2 minutes per batch, then transfer to paper towels to drain. Serve cakes topped with kielbasa.

    8 min