Stuffed red cabbage- am I insane?

[LoDega]

I have a red cabbage on the way and a hankering for old world fare. Would it be wrong, bad, and less than tasty to make an Eastern-European-style stuffed cabbage with a red head?

[LoDega]

Thanks so much, everyone!

[lucyis]

Here is a link to Joan Nathan's sweet and sour stuffed cabbage recipe. This is a good start, but when you prepare the meat mixture just form meatballs, then shop the cabbage and mix it with the other sauce ingredients. You can cook it on top of the stove or in the oven, I've done both depending on the space on my stove. I also love dried fruit in my cabbage dishes.

http://www.pbs.org/mpt/jewishcooking/

[LoDega]

Thanks so much! As it turns out, we ended up with a radicchio instead this week, but I will do this next time a red cabbage graces my fridge.

[monavano]

Just to add to the above, if you want the cabbage parcels tender, braise them low and slow for a long time.

[somervilleoldtimer]

Sure. Why not! But my favorite way to do cabbage is Hungarian style -- grate it (not too coarsely), braise with butter and/or a little chicken or goose fat, for about 20-25 minutes over low heat, sprinkle with a bit of sugar and a bit of cider vinegar, plus salt and pepper. Wonderful with roast beef, chicken, goose, turkey, plus pretty!

[LoDega]

Oh, wow! I'm definitely trying this.

[Karl S]

Since red cabbage is much better cooked that raw, I don't see a problem. Too many people use it raw for mere color (use radicchio instead), when it's not really good raw.

[scubadoo97]

I love the taste of red cabbage so see no problems with your plan. Blanching has been mentioned as a method to set the color. Still you might have some fading but who cares

[lucyis]

I've used red cabbage when I do un-stuffed cabbage (chopped cabbage and the meatballs with sweet and sour sauce) , so I don't see the problem.

[LoDega]

lucyis: Un-stuffed sounds like the way to go. Do you have a specific recipe for the meatballs and sauce? This is my first attempt at the dish (stuffed or otherwise.) Thanks!

[Sinicle]

I see no problem with it except the color may not be pleasing. Go for it.

[todao]

I'd agree with that. You could par boil the cabbage leaves and shock them in ice water before rolling into stuffed cabbage rolls. That might preserve some of the color. I think the color might even prove to be an interesting variation on the dish.