Cabbage

Choose solid, heavy heads with no more than three or four loose outer leaves. Store the whole head in an untied plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper. An uncut head will keep for at least two weeks.

Once the head is cut, cover the cut surface tightly with plastic wrap. Use the rest within three or four days. Rubbing the cut surface with lemon juice will keep it from turning brown.

To reduce cabbage odor when cooking, put a celery rib or several lemon wedges in the pan.

Skillet Cabbage Serves 6-8 4-6 bacon slices 1/2 cup minced onion 1 medium cabbage, shredded 2 teaspoons salt In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon and onions. Cook until onions are tender and bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes.

Hot Fruited Cabbage Serves 6 2 apples, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 tablespoons margarine 1/2 medium cabbage, chopped 1 cup water 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon margarine Slowly cook apple and onion in 2 tablespoons margarine for 10 minutes. Add cabbage and water. Cover and steam for 20 minutes or until tender. Stir in the brown sugar and vinegar. Just before serving, add 1 tablespoon margarine and salt and pepper.

Unstuffed Cabbage Serves 4-6 1 pound ground beef 1 cup chopped onion 1 small head cabbage, shredded (about 1 pound) 1 can (28 ounce) Mexican-style tomatoes with liquid 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Hot cooked rice, 4-6 cups In a heavy pan, brown the beef and onion. Drain the fat. Stir in cabbage. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until cabbage is crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice.

Light Cabbage Slaw Serves 6 3 cups chopped cabbage 2 large carrots, chopped 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 medium dill pickle, chopped 6-8 tablespoons light Italian salad dressing In a bowl, toss first five ingredients. Add enough salad dressing to moisten.

Cabbage-Potato Dish Serves 2 2 cups shredded cabbage 2 tablespoons water 1/4 cup grated raw potato 1 1/2 teaspoons margarine Pinch salt and pepper 1 teaspoon vinegar In a small saucepan, cook cabbage in water until tender, stirring occasionally; drain. Add the rest of ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat for 5 minutes.

Prepared by Linda Eilks, Nutrition and Wellness Educator, University of Illinois Extension.

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