CLEVER CROP- CABBAGE
25 Aug 2011
Today, there are more than 400 varieties. Discover the origins of cabbage and its many applications and benefits.
Clever crop
Cabbage
(Brassica oleracea capitata)
by Jana Holmer
Cabbage family: Brassicaceae
Cabbage types: Red Dutch, Savoy, Red Ruby Ball, Sugarloaf, Early Drumhead, Saint John’s Day, Surehead, Succession, Champion Early Allhead, Eastham and Flower of Spring
Chinese cabbage types: Pe-Tsai (Celery Cabbage), Wong Bok and Bok Choy
Soil type: Requires well-decayed stable or cow manure and well-drained soils
Soil temperature: 10–14°C
When it flowers: Chilly winters to prompt flowers in spring
When to sow: Sow in July to March in Tasmania and Canberra and any time in all other states of Australia
Preferred climate: Likes temperate climate conditions
Matures from seed: Maturity period depends on cabbage variety. Generally takes 98 days to mature from seed
Origins
Cabbage was derived from a leafy mustard plant native to the Mediterranean. Cultivation of wild varieties of cabbage began several thousand years ago. The ancient Egyptians grew it in winter and believed that eating it would prevent intoxication. The ancient Greeks introduced it to Europeans and, later, during the Dark Ages, cabbage heads were placed on the shoulders of nobles’ decapitated heads to bring prosperity and happiness into the afterlife.
Today, there are more than 400 varieties. We are all familiar with the round, light green and purple types, but these days we can choose from loose and tight leaf cabbages, tapered or round in shape, flat or wavy of leaf, and any size from miniature to large. Savoy is a popular variety. Its leaves form a compact cluster and it is frost-resistant, which means it can withstand very cold winter months and grows well in cold areas.
Australians often eat cabbage in coleslaw. Have you ever wondered how coleslaw got its name? One theory is it comes from the Dutch words for cabbage (kool) and salad (sla).
Medicine
Artery health: Over time, so-called “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipo-proteins) causes hardening of the arteries, but eating cabbage can lower the risk of this happening to you.
Cancer: To reduce your risk of developing cancer, eat cabbage and plenty of other vegetables that inhibit the growth of tumours due to their isothiocyanate and sulforaphane content.
Gastric ulcer: Cabbage is rich in iron and beta-carotene. Juice half a cabbage and two carrots to relieve and heal gastric ulcers.
Dry skin, remedy #1: Nourish dry skin by adding one tablespoon each of apple juice and almond oil to a cup of cabbage juice. Stir and use cotton wool to spread evenly on dry skin. Avoid eyes and discard excess.
Dry skin, remedy #2: Boil 1 cup of chopped cabbage to 1 cup of milk. Allow to cool and apply to dry skin using cotton wool. Discard excess.
Nutrients per 100g
Vitamin A 198iu
Vitamin B1 .04mg
Vitamin B2 .07mg
Vitamin B3 .2mg
Vitamin C 54mg
Iron .8mg
Potassium 268mg
Protein 2.2g
Sodium 21mg
What to look for in cabbage
When choosing or harvesting a round cabbage, knock it with your knuckles and listen for a crisp-solid sound. The leaves must be tightly packed; large, lush leaves mean a healthy-looking cabbage. Don’t choose those with brown-coloured edges on leaves and signs of yellowing.
Do
- Allow plenty of room between cabbages to expand properly.
- Enrich the soil with nutrients.
- Leave up to three leaves and new heads will form.
- Sow seed at the right time.
- Water regularly.
Don’t
- Allow the soil to become dry.
- Grow near brassicas as they will cross-pollinate.
- Leave weeds, which will suffocate the shallow roots.
- Cut off the entire plant — decapitate head only.
Sauerkraut
Fermented cabbage with salt is as synonymous with German culture as lederhosen the leg-slapping schuhplatter dance.
Before you cook your cabbage, remove the stalk and the outer leaves, which tend to be grubby.
Utensils
1 large glass container or pot
1 plate
1 large sterilised jar
Ingredients
1 heads cabbage
2 tbsp salt (preferably sea salt)
Method
Wash and remove outer grubby leaves. Cut cabbage in half and finely shred it. (A grater or food-processor can assist.) Place shredded cabbage and salt in the large glass container or pot. Place the plate on top of the cabbage to keep it submerged for 5–6 weeks at 18°C. The cabbage will create its own brine and salt will draw liquid from it. After six weeks, remove the sauerkraut from the glass container or pot, place in the sterilised jar and label and date it. Store in the fridge for up to six months. Enjoy eating sauerkraut with sausage and a simple salad.
Simple salad
This freshly prepared quick and easy salad is high in vitamins. It’s simple, healthy and a great accompaniment to grilled meats and seafood dishes.
Ingredients
Half head white cabbage, leaves washed & finely grated
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
Pinch sea salt
Method
Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl and serve.
High-nutrient cabbage juice
A whiff of this juice will turn any nose but your body will benefit from its powerful cleansing tonic properties. It promotes healthy skin and calm nerves and improves digestion and intestinal ulcers.
Ingredients
2 carrots
2 tomatoes
1 head small clean cabbage
2 cucumbers
Sprig fennel
Method
Scrub carrots, wash tomatoes, discard tough outer leaves of cabbage and wash the rest of the leaves and fennel.
Peel cucumber and cut up all vegetables.
Place vegetables in the juicer using the plunger.
Hold your nose, drink and don’t stop until it’s finished.
Pests and diseases
Cabbage moth (Plutella xylostella)
Moth larvae leave many holes scattered over the leaves. Webbing and droppings are left behind.
Cure #1: Pick off larvas and squash them one-by-one.
Cure #2: Make cabbage moth spray using soapy water and garlic.
Club root (Plasmodiophora brassicae)
This is a soil-borne fungus found in acid soils.
Cure: A least a year before planting cabbage, sprinkle 500g of lime on 1m of ground to prevent club root.
Downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica)
Light green blotches appear on the surface of a cabbage with this problem.
Cure: Spray young plants with half-strength Bordeaux mixture (a mixture of copper sulphate and hydrated lime), then apply another again once the plant has reached a height of three inches.
Read more about another clever crop, strawberries. Here's everything you need to know about growing strawberries.