Cabbage
Caraflex cabbage
What’s Below:
About Cabbage
Cooking & Storage
Recipes
ABOUT Cabbage
Cabbage is a leafy green that forms a head of densely packed leaves that can range from tasting sweet to a mild bitterness. These versatile greens have their origins in Southwest Europe/Mediterranean where they’ve been cultivated for at least 2,500 years. Due to their nutrient density, transportation friendly shape, and a great vehicle for flavor infusion from spices and herbs, cabbage has been a valued green for centuries across cultures. Cabbage is a popular green to cook in the African and Asian diasporas, and is important for its medicinal uses just as much as it is for food.
Napa Cabbage (Photo source: Unsplash)
Tendersweet Cabbage (Photo source: Seeds Day)
We grow three types of cabbage here at Rock Steady, which are caraflex and tendersweet, and napa cabbage. Caraflex cabbage is a small cabbage with a pointed shape. It has a mild flavor and the texture is tender and crunchy. Tendersweet cabbage is a flat cabbage with a mild, slightly sweet taste. Napa cabbage is an elongated cabbage with crinkly, tender leaves that are much more similar to bok choy than regular cabbage and sweeter than any other variety. This variety first came about in China where it’s been cultivated for about 600 years.
COOKING & STORAGE
Edible parts: Leaves
Medicine and Nutrients: Cabbage provides a great source of vitamin C and potassium. It’s high fiber content is good for regulating your digestion and is good for boosting your immunity.
Storing and Shelf Stability: A whole head of cabbage will keep for a week or longer when stored unwashed in the fridge and sealed in plastic.
Ways to Prepare
RAW: All cabbage types can be pickled, as well as shredded into slaws and salads. They also make for a delicious wrap for savory fillings hot and cold.
COOKED: All cabbage types can be roasted, braised, blanched, steamed, and stir fried.
RECIPES
막김치 Baechu Kimchi (includes seafood) and 채식김치 Chaesik-kimchi (vegan) (Maangchi)
Asian Pickled Cabbage (The Woks of Life)
Suan La Bai Cai (SICHUAN NAPA CABBAGE STIR-FRY) (The Woks of Life)
Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup (Nom Nom Paleo)
Korean Latkes (Nyesha Arrington via Sunset)
Apple Cider Braised Cabbage (Food and Wine)
Authored and compiled by Maya Marie of Deep Routes, Ayllen Kocher, and Amara Ullauri