Today’s featured vegetable is not only gorgeous, it delivers amazing flavor and health benefits as well. Popular for use in slaws, because of its bold color, red cabbage can be used in a variety of other tasty ways.
Red cabbage is one of the most healthful and least expensive vegetables available and it can be easily grown in a veggie garden. It is rich in vitamins C, K, and B-complex and packed with minerals such as iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It is also high in anthocyanin polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants that contain potent anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties.
Red cabbage is well known for its high percentage of phyto-chemicals such as isothiocyanates, zea-xanthin, and lutein, strange looking words that mean this vegetable can help protect the body against colon, breast, stomach, lung, and prostate cancer. It also helps lower cholesterol levels by working with bile acids in the digestive process to remove cholesterol from the blood.
Red cabbage is the perfect food to create a healthy digestive tract as it is known to help reduce bad bacteria and promote good friendly bacteria in the gut. Red cabbage is especially beneficial for the nervous system and has even been shown to help reduce the buildup of plaque in the brain that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
It is also an excellent food for ulcers, osteoporosis, constipation, heart disease, candida, age related macular degeneration, fibromyalgia, dementia, and weight loss. Red cabbage is also great for boosting the immune system and reducing chronic inflammation in the body. (Info from Anthony William. Check out his website HERE)
Red cabbage can be eaten raw, in salads and slaws, added to wraps and nori rolls, or juiced with other vegetables and fruits. Lightly steam or sauté red cabbage to enjoy as a colorful side dish or mix with other cooked veggies.
I top sweet potatoes with shredded red cabbage, lightly sautéed with onions and garlic. The combo of sweet potatoes and red cabbage makes a delicious and satisfying meal. My favorite way to enjoy red cabbage though is to steam it with several other veggies, in my pressure pot. In minutes I have a colorful meal that is simple, fast and full of nutrients!
