You probably hear this phrase frequently: “It’s the little things in life that make you happy.” I had one of those “little” moments this morning. I was on my way to work when I drove past a sign that said, “You pick a cabbage. Only $1.00 per head.” I looked to my left and saw a roadside farm that was selling cabbages. The morning sun was_0.jpg)
still on the long rows of cabbages, and I just had to check it out. I had found a field of 20,000 deep green, leafy cabbage heads that looked so healthy and delicious. Now, I realize that finding a cabbage patch would not normally excite most people, but these beautiful cabbages would delight any cook that has a vision of a cooked cabbage for dinner. I found this delicious recipe of Garlic and Bacon Cabbage that I thought I would share with my readers, check it out here! If the idea of bacon and cabbage together doesn’t completely convince you to eat cabbage, then maybe knowing the .jpg)
nutritional value of cabbage, how versatile it can be, and its lengthy shelf life will convince you to fix it for dinner one night.
Nutritious Value
People that know me know that I like to eat healthy, and cabbage is an extremely nutritional vegetable. Cabbages are a cruciferous vegetable, which refers to the way it contains phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. All of these things are important to your health. Health agencies recommend that people consume several servings of cruciferous vegetables each week. Other common cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, and Brussel sprouts. All of these vegetables may help lower your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Also, cabbage is often a food that is recommended in a healthy diet for people who want to lose weight. It is low in calories and high in fiber. It is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate. So, if you are looking to eat something delicious and healthy, then cabbage is a wonderful choice to add to your meal.
Ways to Enjoy
In addition to being nutritious, it is also a versatile food. Since there are several ways to cook and season cabbage, you will never get bored eating the same old thing. Some of the main ways to cook cabbage are steaming, pickling, stewing, sautéing, or braising. You can also eat it raw. Depending on what you are craving, you can season it in any number of ways. You can do something as simple as just adding some salt and pepper, or do something like adding some garlic and bacon (see recipe at the end of the post). You can eat it as your main course or use it as a side dish to complement your meal. It is an inexpensive food and it can feed a large group of people, so you may want to consider fixing a cabbage dish at your next dinner or party. Try fixing it one way tonight and a different way the next time!
Shelf Life
Lastly, one of my favorite things about cabbage is its long shelf life. One of the most common problems when you buy fresh fruits or vegetables is that they tend to spoil pretty quickly if they are not used. I sometimes call my vegetable drawer in my refrigerator ‘The Rotter.’ That is not the case with cabbage though. You can store it in your refrigerator and it may stay good for a few months! You may notice that the outside leaves may turn black or mold a little, but the whole cabbage has not gone bad. You simply just have to remove the outer leaves and the rest of the cabbage is perfectly fine. If you are feeling very ambitious, one way to preserve your cabbage is to dig a hole large enough to put your cabbage in it upside down. The cabbage will have to be placed below the frost line. You have to put some straw in the bottom of your hole, put the cabbage in it upside down, put more straw on top of the cabbage, and then cover it with dirt. In my own personal opinion, it is much easier just to store it in your refrigerator! I love knowing that when I buy a cabbage it will stay good for a long time!
I know that not every city or town has a local cabbage patch to go to, so you can check out your local farmer’s market or grocery store. Pick one up and make something delicious this week! Don't forget to check out our Garlic & Bacon Cabbage recipe!.jpg)