Cabbage is a great vegetable for soups, stews,
casseroles and side dishes. It adds flavors and
nutrients but no fat and very few calories.
When harvesting cabbage the heads should be at
least 2-3 pounds and firm. You shouldn't be able to
press in the top or sides. When they are overmature
they split and won't store well. Also, if you leave the
outer leaves on the plant when you cut the cabbage
for harvest, new buds will form there and you can
pick these small cabbages when they are firm.
Cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for at least a
week if it's tightly wrapped. I've stored it for two or three
weeks and it was fine. If you grow it yourself you know
it's fresh, but from the store it will depend on when it
was harvested. Before storing, trim the heads of loose
leaves...the heads should blemish and damage free.
Wash cabbage just before using. For long term storage
it needs a location that stays about 32 degrees and 98%
humidity. Modern basements with furnaces heat up too
much for this, but if you have an unheated cellar that
would work well.
You can also freeze cabbage in thin wedges to later
add to soup and stews. It won't be good for salads,
but for cooking it works great. Trim the coarse outer
leaves from head and but the cabbage into wedges.
Blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes, remove
and plunge into ice cold water. Drain well and pack
into containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
I add thinly cut cabbage to add to my stirfry, salads
and soups. I try to always have it on hand to throw
into the pot or pan. The following recipes are also
good dishes to use cabbage in. Standard green
cabbage is the best for cooking, but you can also use
red cabbage raw or cooked. Savoy and the Chinese
varieties are good either way also. Use what you have!
Cabbage and Apples
Ingredients:
1 medium head red or green cabbage, diced
2 tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 medium tart apples, sliced thickly (core removed)
6 tbsp. herb or red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. granulated sugar or honey
1 whole bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Place cabbage in a large kettle of boiling water for 1 minute.
Drain. Return to the pan and stir in remaining ingredients.
Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until cabbage is tender.
Remove bay leaf before serving.
Apple and Cabbage Soup
Ingredients:
1 small cabbage
2 sweet onions
1 clove garlic, crushed
4 large green apples
2 ounces butter
3 pints chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. chopped green onion
Finely shred the cabbage and slice the onions. Peel and
core the apples and dice. Melt the butter in a pan-do not
brown. Add the cabbage, onions and apples, and cook over
low heat, tossing frequently. Add the garlic and cover with
the cold stock. Simmer until the cabbage is just tender. Cool
slightly and process in a blender. Season with salt, pepper,
and sugar. Reheat the soup and serve with a little chopped
green onion in each bowl.
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
Ingredients:
1 small cabbage, thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup wine or herb vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tsp. fennel seed, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon mustard seed
Steam cabbage and onion with 1/4 cup water in a covered
pan over medium high heat until the cabbage is tender crisp,
not more than 5 minutes. Add other ingredients and cook on
medium high for 5 more minutes. Taste and season more if
necessary.
Scalloped Potatoes, Sausage and Cabbage
Ingredients:
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 can evaporated milk (13 ounces)
1/4 cup water
4 medium potatoes, sliced thin
1 medium sweet onion, sliced thin
2 cups shredded cabbage
8 ounces kielbasa, sliced thinly
In a medium pan, melt the margarine, stir in flour, salt and
pepper, mixing till smooth. Gradually add the milk and water
while stirring over medium heat. In a greased three quart
casserole layer 1/3 the potatoes, 1/2 the onion, 1/2 cabbage,
1/2 kielbasa and 1/3 sauce. Repeat. Top with the leftover
potatoes and sauce. Cover and bake for about an hour, until
the potatoes are tender. This dish can be assembled the night
before, covered and put in the refrigerator until the next day.
Cabbage Casserole
Ingredients:
1/2 pound Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground chuck
1 small head of cabbage, shredded or chopped fine
1 large jar spaghetti/tomato sauce
1 cup white rice (not instant)
1 cup water
In a non-stick skillet without oil, sauté the rice until it's
browned slightly. Place half of it in the bottom of a large
casserole dish. Brown the sausage and ground chuck-
crumbling it as you go. Drain. Layer half of the meat on
top of the rice, and then 1/2 of shredded cabbage on top
of it. Mix the water and the spaghetti sauce and then pour
half of it over the cabbage.Then repeat your layers. Bake
for about an hour in a 350 degree oven. Makes 6 servings
More on Related Features:
More Soup Recipes
Harvesting and Using Broccoli
Brussel Sprout Recipes
About the Author:
Brenda Hyde is an avid gardener,
freelance writer, mom and wife. She is owner and editor of
Old Fashioned Living.com.
