Title :

Cabbage

Category: Garden Vegetable Plants

Facts about cabbage. "Scientific name for Cabbage is Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Growing and Enjoying Great Cabbage is a healthy part of a rounded diet and is worthwhile to make part of a home garden. It is a versatile vegetable that is used in many ways and for many reasons all around the world.

The cabbage comes in five common varieties: Red, Green, Savoy, Pointed, and Napa. The green cabbage is the one most commonly thought of when one thinks of cabbage. It is round, with tight leaves. The red cabbage is a dark red/purple color and excellent for bringing a bit of brightness to a plate. Savoy cabbage has crinkled outer leaves, Pointed cabbage grows up in a seashell shape, and Napa cabbage has an oblong shape and produces crisp, mild-flavored leaves. There are many other, less common varieties of this amazing veggie.

To grow a cabbage, you need a location with full sun, fertile soil, and some rather cool weather. Cabbage grows best when the days average about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 cel). Many plant cabbage in the spring and the fall. Cabbage will take about 70 days to mature and be ready for harvesting. It is, however, highly susceptible to pests and weeds. It is important to look after this crop carefully.

Cabbage is high in vitamins C and K, vitamin B6, vitamin A, folate, manganese, fiber and a good source of thiamin, calcium, riboflavin, potassium, tryptophan and protein. Cabbage is a very versatile part of a healthy diet. It can be boiled, sautéed, pickled, steamed, or fermented (as in making sauerkraut or Kimchee). It is excellent in stir fry, lovely rolled around meat and rice, and a treat when sautéed with butter. It is a huge staple in the country of Poland and is in much of its cuisine. However, the Napa cabbage, also called the Chinese cabbage, is very popular in all of Asia and used much in their cuisine as well.

Many use cabbage for health reasons and homeopathic treatments. People mention using cabbage for helping with joint pain, ulcers, constipation, enlarged prostate, painful lactating breasts, and even GERD. According to earthclinic.com, Ancient Egyptians ate cabbage with vinegar before drinking alcohol to prevent hangovers! There is no scientific data that proves that cabbage works for these ailments, but those who use it for these purposes swear by it.

There is no doubt that the cabbage is more than a basic food staple, but a time-honored part of our diet. It is to be remembered as a comfort food and a treat to many throughout the world.