By Deborah Lewis --                            

     February 17th is Cabbage Day, a national food day.

 

Cabbage at the turn of the last century was looked upon as a lowly vegetable eaten by only by the poor. Now cabbage is regarded as a nutritious vegetable and thought to have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.

Cabbage, kale, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are all the same species of plant. Selective propagation and human cultivation have yielded the differences in these plants. The family, Cruciferae, is a large family which includes cabbages and many other vegetable. It is also called the mustard family. Members of this family have flowers that are cross shaped. The family name comes from the Latin word for “cross.” Cole crops are herbaceous, biennial, dicotyledonous plants from the genus and species, Brassica oleracea.

 

Brassica oleracea include: acephala - kale, collards; botrytis - cauliflower; capitata - cabbage; gemmifera - Brussels sprouts; gongylodes - kohlrabi; italica - sproutingbroccoli.

The botanic name for cabbage is Brassica oleracea capitata.

Historical and botanical evidence date cabbage cultivation for more than 4,000 years and domesticated cabbage dates over 2,500 years.

The Celts brought cabbage to Europe from Asia around 600 B.C. and are native to the Mediterranean. Greek and Roman colonists brought cabbages from the Black Sea region into Russia.

Cabbage became a major crop in Europe since it grows well in cool climates, yields large harvest and stores well during the winter.

The first recording of cabbages in North America was in 1699. Napa cabbage was brought to North America by immigrant laborers in the 1880's and 1890's.

The Greeks and Romans thought cabbage could cure just about any illness.

An ancient Chinese scroll mentions cabbage as a cure for baldness in men.

In 1769, Captain Cook's ship doctor used sauerkraut on wounded soldiers preventing the development of gangrene.

In a Chinese scroll from 1000 B.C. white cabbage was mentioned as a cure for male baldness.

 

Shopping for cabbage:

*Look for firm cabbage heads that feel heavy for their size.

*Cabbage leave should be green or red-purple in color.

*Store whole or cut cabbage in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Creative ways to eat cabbage:

*Mix red and green cabbage for a colorful rainbow coleslaw that please the eye and the   palate

*Add diced apples, broccoli or pineapple to traditional coleslaw for a unique taste experience

*Add boiled or steamed cabbage to stews, soups or casseroles

*Slice and roast cabbage with olive oil and spices

 

Cabbage is an excellent food sources as it provides high concentrations of nutrients that support health and body functions. Vitamin C rich cabbage may decrease your risk of hypertension, heart disease, cancer and osteoarthritis. Fiber rich cabbage may also prevent cancer, obesity, heart disease, hemorrhoids, constipation and diverticulosis. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are rich in phytochemicals which may help to boost the immune system and help lower the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Cabbage is a super food that can be used in many ways. Adding cooked or raw cabbage to your diet is an excellent way of providing healthy benefits to your body.

Happy Cabbage Day! Enjoy your coleslaw and sauerkraut!