Cabbage Recipes | Patta Gobhi Recipes - Layers of crunchy, garden fresh leaves bundled together - we're talking of a vegetable whose culinary expanse is as wide as the ocean. From cabbage coleslaw to kimchi, the world has succeeded in experimenting with this humble vegetable and arriving at an exciting list of delicacies. Whether it's a quick salad, fuss-free sandwiches, zingy accompaniments or a full course meal, cabbage can be appropriated to create gourmet food that fits all occasions.
Cabbage belongs to the brassica family and is akin to vegetables like cauliflower, brussel sprouts and broccoli. One can choose to cook from a range of variety including the popular savoy, the regular green ones, those with a sensational purple hue, the Chinese bokchoy and wombok, etc. Cabbage is cultivated all-round the year and is easily available.
(Also Read: Weight Loss: This Cabbage Soup Diet Promises To Help You Lose 10 Pounds In A Week)
Why You Should Be Eating More Cabbage | Benefits of Buying Cabbage
Cabbage is packed with nutrients that are not only good for health but also fight those beauty problems. Cabbage is low in calories and has negligible fat content, hence great for weight-management. Apart from this, the vegetable is loaded with antioxidants and Vitamin C which is great for strengthening immunity and fighting diseases.
Cabbage juice is considered to be extremely beneficial for skin and is enriched with anti-ageing properties. Drinking cabbage juice as well as applying it can prevent hair loss and render smooth, shiny and lustrous hair.
You'll also be surprised to know that cabbage has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. The sulforaphane and the I3C compounds are known to increase anti-cancer effects whereas amino acids present in the vegetable help combatting inflammation. Since cabbage is enriched with fibre, it aids in smooth digestion and keeps constipation at bay.
How to Buy Cabbage | Cabbage Buying Tips
While buying a cabbage, always go for the ones that have tightly packed leaves and its stems exhibit a bright gloss. The ones which don't have enough outer leaves or have fluffy, loose leaves should be avoided. Also, be extremely watchful of any discoloration, blemishes, cuts, cracks or insect infestation in the vegetable. Pre-cut or shredded cabbage loses its nutritional content and crunchiness.
How to Store Cabbage
Cabbage can be stored in a plastic bag and refrigerated. One whole cabbage can be stored in a refrigerator for up to two weeks. However, if you decide to halve it and use the rest later, make sure to store the remaining with a few drops of water sprinkled on it, packed in a plastic bag and refrigerated. You can also try shredding the vegetable, blanching it and freezing it.
In case you spot worms or any signs of insect infestation, soak the vegetable in a solution of water and vinegar for 20 minutes. Wash it under cool, running water before storing. In case you choose to separate leaves away from its tight head, make sure that you store them at a cool and dark place, away from sunlight.
Cabbage Cooking Tips | How To Cook Cabbage
Avoid overcooking cabbage as it tends to emit a strong, pungent odour when overcooked. You can consume it raw or can choose to boil, bake, stir fry, saute it. Beautiful cabbage leaves look exquisite when stuffed with flavourful stuffing - baked, steamed, often batter coated and deep fried. It is believed that cabbage include phytonutrients that react when coming in contact with carbon steel, hence avoid cooking it or chopping it with articles made of carbon steel.
(Also Read: Cabbage Poriyal: Make This Delightful Poriyal From South India In Just 20 Minutes)
13 Ways to Cook With Cabbage
After the complete lowdown on how to select and store this versatile veggie - and above all why you should be eating more of it. From sensational western preparations to exotic oriental delicacies, we have the best of what the world cooks with cabbage, tried and tested by our best chefs.
We bring you 13 exciting cabbage recipes that will wow your taste-buds.
1. Cabbage Kofta
Shredded cabbage mixed with coconut, garam masala, coriander powder, chilli, chickpea flour and onions - a mixed bag of earthy and sensational Indian ingredients.
Dipped in a rich gravy of dry fruits, tomatoes, curd and masalas, this cabbage kofta recipe is a delight to relish.
2. Steamed Chinese Cabbage Parcels
Imagine eating dim sums but without the calories. Minced chicken marinated for 4 hours, wrapped around thin cabbage leaves and steamed soft.
Stuffed with a yummy chicken mince filling, these cabbage parcels are steamed and are a great starter dish at parties.
3. Stuffed Capsicum with Carrots and Cabbage
Gorgeous and crispy capsicums are stuffed with freshly grated carrots, cabbage and then fried crisp.
Stuffed capsicum with carrots and cabbage is the perfect dish to brighten up your platter!
4. Muttakos Poriyal
This South Indian specialty is an absolute delight! Cabbage cooked with urad dal, chana dal, mustard seeds and grated coconut.
A light and healthy treat from the South Indian kitchen, Muttakos Poriyal is a unique dish with the goodness of pulses and coconut.
5. Carrot and Cashew Coleslaw
Crispy greens and carrots are mixed together with vinegar, mustard seeds, sesame oil, parsley and plump grapes to get a dish as creamy, as delicious and as divine as this.
A delicious cabbage recipe that you can use as a sandwich spread too and have a healthy breakfast, coleslaw is an absolute rescuer.
6. Cabbage Stuffed Paratha
Here's something new for all of those who love a nice, big Punjabi breakfast. Parathas stuffed with cabbage, potatoes, onions and a variety of spices.
These easy and quick cabbage parathas are quite a saviour on days when unexpected guests arrive.
7. Thai Soyabean In Cabbage Cups
It doesn't get more healthy than soya bean in cabbage cups! Whip up a delicious soya bean salad made with bean sprouts, chilli and other vegetables and stuff that into small made-at-home cabbage cups and serve.
With the goodness of soyabeans comes a delicious, low-fat and easy cabbage dish for a quick meal.
8. Stir Fried Cabbage and Moor
Cabbage cooked with coconut and curry leaves and tempered with curd, shallots and chilli. A light and easy dish for a healthy and quick meal.
9. Cabbage Meat Rolls
You'll thanks us for this. Cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat cooked in delicious stock. You wouldn't resist having these again. 
Delectable and easy, cabbage meat rolls are a great way to load up on those boring cabbage leaves stuffed with meat.
10. Kimchi
This Korean specialty is both sweet and sour, and made with vegetables that are fermented with garlic, ginger, soya sauce, vinegar and chilli flakes.
A spruced up korean salad in a delectable soy sauce, kimchi is delicious meal.11.Cabbage Rolls
The goodness of cabbage and spinach rolled into one utterly delicious dish is something you just don't want to miss. Spinach rolled into cabbage leaves, baked to perfection and topped with tomato sauce. Mouth-watering! A perfect snack dish for your next dinner party.
Delicious cabbage leaf parcels stuffed with soft spinach and baked till it's perfectly cooked and crispy.
12. Pickled Cabbage
Add some tang to your meals with this pickled cabbage recipe. It's perfect to add to your burgers and sandwiches.
13. Cabbage Poriyal
Cabbage poriyal is an easy and quick recipe that you can cook for healthy, fuss-free meal. This recipe of patta gobhi is all things healthy with the addition of urad and chana dal.
So who said cabbage was boring?