Rarely have I eaten at a Baltic table without there being a little something sour on the side. Pickled and fermented foods are considered a staple — in the past, cold winters could not be survived without them — yet these side dishes and condiments also have the power to transform a lovely meal into a truly memorable one. Fermenting food has become fashionable now that its health benefits have been scientifically proven, but Eastern Europeans have known about these properties for many generations. And anyone who eats fermented foods regularly can attest to their power to make you feel strong and lively!