Advertisement

Bet you didn’t know these things about cabbage

The heavy outer leaves on this green cabbage, still in the field, help protect it from drying out and preserve the colour. It is advised to keep as many of the outer leaves as possible on cabbages destined for long-term storage.
The heavy outer leaves on this green cabbage, still in the field, help protect it from drying out and preserve the colour. It is advised to keep as many of the outer leaves as possible on cabbages destined for long-term storage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BCFresh

Cabbage gives good return on your food dollar as it is both economical and good for you.

Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C and also contains some B vitamins, potassium and calcium. It is fat-free and 250 ml (1 cup) of raw cabbage has only about 22 calories. It also is associated with a lowered risk of certain cancers.

Cooking cabbage too long, especially in water, releases chemicals that can cause an unpleasant smell. To avoid this, don’t overcook it; don’t cook in aluminum pans (use stainless steel or enamelled cast iron); add a bay leaf or a lemon wedge to the cabbage while cooking; add a few drops of vinegar to the cooking water or wipe the inside lid of the pan with vinegar.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Store a whole cabbage in a cold room or refrigerator crisper with as many of the outer leaves on as possible. Store half a cabbage in a crisper with only the cut side covered with plastic wrap (not tin foil).

Story continues below advertisement

A whole cabbage will last for months at temperatures just above freezing. If cabbage has been frozen, the layers will start to go translucent. Once a cabbage freezes it’s no good.

READ MORE: Recipes for cabbage rolls and soup

Preserve the bright colour of red cabbage by adding a little lemon juice or vinegar to the cooking water.

Prior to cultivation and use as food, cabbage was mainly used for medicinal purposes.

Ancient Romans munched raw cabbage before a banquet to prevent hangovers.

Sponsored content

AdChoices