Newton Community Farm
March 16, 2021
Nutrition and Healthy Recipes: Cabbage
There are countless varieties of cabbage with Savoy, which is light green and has crinkled leaves, the most common. Napa cabbage, also called Chinese cabbage, is a romaine-like variety, terrific for raw salads and coleslaw. For stir-fries, there is nothing better than bok choy, which has stems that turn almost creamy after cooking.
 
To get the best flavor out of your cabbage do not cook it too long. The consequence of overcooking cabbage is that it becomes waterlogged and the flavor becomes too strong. Stick with a recipe's recommended cooking time, and you’ll be rewarded with a crisp, bright-flavored cabbage dish.
 
Cabbage consumption is associated with a decrease in the risk of cancer, especially lung, stomach and colon. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from harmful free radicals.
 
Cabbage is a year-round vegetable, widely shipped and found locally when weather is cool. Reject any cabbage with yellow or loose leaves not tightly packed.

 Ways to prepare cabbage:
- Braising
- Stir-frying
- Sautéing
- Simmering
- Fermenting (sauerkraut)
Spicy Coleslaw
 
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons sherry or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup oil (olive, peanut, or vegetable)
6 cups cored and shredded cabbage
2 red bell peppers, stemmed, peeled if desired, seeded, and diced
1 cup diced scallions
salt and freshly-ground pepper black pepper to taste
½ cup minced, fresh parsley leaves
 
Directions
1. Whisk together the mustard and vinegar in a small bowl. Add the sugar and then add the oil a little at a time while whisking.
2. Combine the cabbage, peppers, and scallions and toss with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to serve. It’s best to let this rest an hour or so before serving to allow the flavors to mellow.
3. Just before serving, toss with parsley.
Connect with Us
Check out our shows on gardening, cooking and story time on our YouTube channel. A new show on cooking with cabbage will be available Wednesday, March 17 at 1 pm. You can also view our past shows on NewTV. An archive of our newsletters on gardening and cooking are available on our website.

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Sign Up for Our Free Online Winter/Spring Speaker Series
Join us for these informative, live, online programs which are free and open to all. Please note that pre-registration for each session is required to receive the Zoom access links.
Healthy Cooking for Seniors 
Wednesday, March 31, 11 am–noon, Online program

Clinical Dietitian Caila Yates from Newton-Wellesley Hospital will help seniors who might feel that making healthy, homemade meals is too much work for only one or two people in a smaller household. Topics will cover simple cooking strategies, easy shopping techniques, and ways to enjoy healthy cooking of small, nutritious meals with a focus on the nutritional needs of seniors.  
Best Practices for Home Gardening
Thursday, April 22, 11 am–noon, Online program

Avid gardener and Newton resident Barney Keezell will teach you what you need to know to jumpstart your home garden this growing season. Barney will discuss choosing the right plants, planting techniques, maintenance, pest control, and best practices for growing in our climate, whether you are gardening in containers, a raised bed, or your backyard.
Newton Community Farm is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, EIN #20-2482452. If you would like to donate by mail, please send a check to Newton Community Farm at the address listed below. Don't forget to ask your employer if matching funds are available.
NEWTON COMMUNITY FARM
303 Nahanton Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-916-9655