Cabbage is Great but Underrated – Here’s Why

Cabbage is one of the most common cruciferous vegetables full of nutrients. It is widely available in almost every country and used to prepare an array of meals. Unfortunately, it’s one of those vegetables that’s hugely neglected. Most of its health benefits are similar to broccoli since they belong to the same family. The vegetable is rich in fiber, beta-carotene and vitamin C, which is known to reduce toxins that cause skin diseases, gout, and arthritis.

Ideally, cabbage is known to reduce the risk of some types of cancers, such as colorectal cancer. It is widely available throughout the year, and it’s pretty affordable. It ideally comes in an array of varieties, including red, bok choy, Savoy, Green, and Brussel Sprouts. Plant breeders have also developed numerous varieties in an array of textures and colors, with the aim of making cabbage even more enjoyable. Some are sweet and mild tender like lettuce, while others are hard and ideal for slicing into thick pieces for roasting.

Cabbage tends to last longer in the freezer than most vegetables, and if you store it properly, it can last anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks. In good root cellar conditions, cabbage can even last for longer. If possible, you should keep it in a hydrator drawer and avoid peeling the outer leaves or washing until you’re ready to use it. Cabbage is a great choice for cold-weather veggie if you would like to grow your own vegetables and very versatile.

An appealing thing about cabbage is its versatility. You can slice it into salads and soups, stir fry it with onions, shred it into coleslaw, stuff a whole cabbage, steam it, fry it, roast it, boil it, grill it and even ferment it into sauerkraut. You can also try and experiment with it for dessert, although this is something that most people have failed at.

Cabbage has numerous health benefits, as mentioned above, due to its richness in nutrients. It can even help with weight loss and having radiant skin. A cup of cooked cabbage only contains 33 calories, and it’s high in fiber and low in fat, two things that are essential when it comes to weight management. So, if you have been ignoring cabbage, you might want to think twice.