Does anyone ever really have cabbage on their mind? I feel like it’s something that shows up like a friendly neighbor. Cabbage done well, doesn’t offend. It’s a quiet guest on the plate. But it’s not really a front of mind veggie for me. It’s only when I see it, that I’m reminded of what a great veggie it really is.
It Brings Up Childhood Memories
I remember my mom making cabbage about two or three times a year. It wasn’t really connected to the holidays. Somehow a pot of would always show up somewhere between January and March. I remember it being warm and comforting. Cabbage was always served on the side of a few scoops of white rice and next to whatever meat she was serving.
Eating cabbage didn’t really bother me. As a kid, I just saw it as one more thing on the plate. I felt the same way about lima beans and corn. But the smell of cooked cabbage easily brings me back to our one bedroom apartment in the Bronx. I always thought that it smelled funny but it didn’t taste funny. It was good. All at once buttery, savory and even a little peppery.
More to Know About Cabbage
Did you know that there are over 400 kinds of cabbage on the planet? They come in different shapes and sizes. Besides green, they even come in colors like purple and red. As you may have guessed, the red cabbage comes in as the healthiest. That’s because it’s rich in anthocyanins (antioxidants). That’s great news for the fight against inflammation, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Cabbage is low in calories and 92% water. Trying to get more water into your diet? Eating cabbage is a great way to “eat” your water. I also want to point out that in addition to Vitamin C, this veggie offers Vitamin K, Folate, Manganese, Vitamin B6 and Calcium. It may look bland but don’t judge a book by the cover!
My southern style cabbage recipe is easy, cooks slow and needs just a few ingredients. I keep it simple. But I have seen cabbage made with a variety of additions including:
- Carrots
- Red or Green Peppers
- Onions
- Celery
Have fun making this recipe and don’t forget to make it your own!
LA is a plant-based advocate who is having fun adding veggies to her plate and “eating” her water. Follow on IG @blackgirlseat and be sure to subscribe to the Recipes & Random-ish Newsletter.
Simple Cabbage Recipe Made Southern Style and Slow Cooked
Ingredients
- 1 Head of Green Cabbage
- 3 Cups Vegetable Broth
- 2 tbs vegan butter (or traditional)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Carefully cut the cabbage in half and then again so that you have 4 pieces. Remove the thick white core and discard. Slice the cabbage into strips.
- Add the cabbage, broth, seasonings and butter to the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and set it on high for 2 hours. You can give it a stir around the one hour mark. When it’s done, serve hot and enjoy!