The luck of the Irish
Cabbage is traditional vegetable for St. Pat's Day celebrations
STORY BY SUSAN HOVEY / CLEMSon Extension Agent

St. Patrick's Day is March 17, and many people like to joy the traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage when they celebrate the luck of the Irish. Cabbage is a "lucky" vegetable in the food world. It is loaded with vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals.

Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables cultivated by mankind. It grows well in most any climate, so it's popular around the world.

The cabbage family (brassica family) is quite large and includes cauliflower, broccoli, mustard, kale, Brussels sprouts, horseradish, radish, rutabaga and turnip. When we think of cabbage, however, we usually think of green cabbage and red cabbage, which is sometimes called purple cabbage.

Green cabbage is enjoyed by many cultures worldwide. Raw cabbage can be shredded and made into cole slaw or used in tossed salads. Cabbage can be steamed, braised, baked, boiled, stirfried or added to soups and stews. Steamed cabbage leaves can be stuffed with a meat filling and baked. Cabbage can also be pickled like German sauerkraut or Korean kimchee.

Green cabbage is a good source of vitamin C, is high in fiber and is rich in phytochemicals, especially those in the indole group (may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer) and sulphoraphane (also has anti-cancer properties). Red cabbage is a good source of vitamin C, a fair source of vitamin A, is high in fiber and is rich in phytochemicals like sulphoraphane, the indole, and anthocyanin (anti-cancer ad anti-inflammatory properties).

Enjoy this traditional vegetable for St. Patrick's Day!

STEAMED CABBAGE WEDGES

Select one medium green cabbage, about two pounds. Trim away outer leaves that are damaged. Cut head in half lengthwise. Cut each half into wedges, each including part of the core. Steam until just tender, 5-8 minutes. (To steam, use about 1/2 inch of water in a pot or pan, place cabbage on a rack or steamer insert, cover and cook over medium-high heat). To serve, spray cabbage wedges with butter-flavored cooking spray and sprinkle with lemon pepper. Transfer wedge to a cutting board, cut away core, and transfer intact to plates.

Microwave instructions: For 1 pound of cabbage, prepare for cooking as above. Place in a glass container and add 2 tablespoons water. Cover container with glass lid or plastic wrap. Cook at HIGH power 5-7 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes before seasoning and serving.