Traditional Irish Cabbage
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Potatoes and cabbage are the two vegetables Ireland is most famous for. Traditional Irish Cabbage with bacon is still popular in Ireland today. It’s a delicious and inexpensive addition to a meal, so I recommend you give it a try with some wonderful corned beef today, or this St. Patrick’s day, or whenever the mood strikes you.
Best Way to Cook Cabbage
Irish cabbage is boiled and shredded and served with melted butter. The bacon adds a wonderful flavor to the cabbage and it’s pretty easy to make too. This cabbage and corned beef would go great with some boiled potatoes or crusty bread, or both! This hearty meal will make a traditional Irish meal that would please anyone.
I created a flavor packet using bacon strips and peppercorns wrapped in a cabbage leaf to give this cabbage an Irish flare. It’s easy to do and cute too! All you have to do is place the bacon strips and peppercorns in a cabbage leaf, then fold in the sides, and lastly, roll it up like a burrito. Then just tie it up with a piece of twine and you have a flavor packet that will send this cabbage out of this world!
Best Cabbage Recipes
I really love cabbage any way you cook it. I love it boiled, fried, baked, or anything else you can think of. Here are two more wonderful cabbage recipes that keep my happy eaters coming back again and again. And I love how you can celebrate Irish traditions through food!
- Sauteed Cabbage (that kids LOVE)
- Sausage Cabbage Rolls (Nightshade Free)
Here are more ideas for great vegetable sides!
- Roasted Parmesan Garlic Broccoli
- Air Fried Vegetables with Garlic Bread Seasoning
- Balsamic Chopped Salad
- Zesty Avocado Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Elote Recipe
- Broccoli Salad
- Sweet Potato and Brussel Sprout Saute
- Aunt Pat’s Sweet Potato Casserole
And this traditional cabbage recipe makes THE best cabbage you’ll ever taste. So good! It’s buttery and silky and good!
Traditional Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Head Green Cabbage
- 1 teaspoon Peppercorns
- 8 slices Bacon
- ½ Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 4 Tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the bottom stem off the cabbage,and remove the outer leaf.
- Cut the core out of the center of the leaf.
- Place three slices of the bacon as well as the peppercorns into the leaf.
- Carefully fold and tie into a bundle with twine.
- To fold: Turn Cabbage leaf inwards over the bacon and peppercorns and roll up like a burrito.
- Cut the Cabbage head into two halves, remove the center core of the cabbage.
- Carefully peel leaves off of the cabbage in layers.
- Rinse them off in cool water.
- Transfer leaves to a large stockpot, add the bacon/peppercorn bundle, and cover the cabbage with water.
- Add the Red Wine Vinegar, and salt the water with about 1 tsp salt.
- Bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
- Drain the cabbage and allow it to cool.
- While cabbage is simmering, cut remaining bacon into strips and cook over med-low heat until crispy.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Chop the cabbage up into strips and place it into a buttered baking dish.
- Top with 3 Tbsp butter.
- Place under the broiler until the cabbage is browned about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven; add the nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Top with bacon.
I love making traditional foods from any country. I love the idea of learning about cultures and traditions through food. I love celebrating all kinds of people and all kinds of food. I just love traditions and learning about ones that are different than mine.
I also love to grow cabbage with the kids in our preschool garden. There is nothing more satisfying than growing your own food and knowing exactly where it comes from and what’s on it. Except for teaching kids how to grow. I have such a blessed life that I get to do what I do in my home daycare.
If you love traditional recipes, check these out:
If you want to learn basic cooking techniques that can turn you into a great cook, check these out.
And for easy dinner ideas, check this out.
