Tientsin Preserved Vegetable

The brand I like best is widely distributed, marketed in an attractive, squat crock with a rich brown glaze. There is a red, white, and blue label over the mouth of the crock and also a banner on the side that has nothing in English save the words Tientsin Preserved Vegetables. In traditional style, the crock is sealed with a heavy paper “lid,” which must be cut through and then pulled off. To store the cabbage, simply seal the crock with a square or two of tin foil held in place with a thick rubber band, then keep it at room temperature away from light, heat, and moisture. It will keep forever, like any respectable preserved vegetable.