Savoy Cabbage – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is savoy cabbage?

Savoy cabbage, sometimes referred to as “curly cabbage,” is a variety of cabbage with distinctive crinkly leaves and a rich emerald green color. The leaves are tender yet crunchy, which makes for great salads and cold dishes. Savoy cabbage is also firm enough to retain much of its shape when cooked.

Where did savoy cabbage originate from?

It’s said that savoy cabbage was in Western Asia as early as 1,000 B.C. and slowly made its way westward to Western Europe. It was cultivated in England and the Netherlands early on, and it gets its name from the Savoy region of France.

Since then, it has been cultivated into other varieties, all of which have spread worldwide.

What is the nutritional value of savoy cabbage?

Savoy cabbage is a nutritional powerhouse if there ever was one. Each cup of raw cabbage contains nearly half a day’s worth of vitamin K plus large amounts of vitamins A, C, and B6.

One cup of raw, shredded savoy cabbage contains:

• 19 calories
• 1.4 g protein
• 0.07g fat
• 4g carbohydrates
• 2.2g dietary fiber
• 1.5g sugar

Other minerals found in this guilt-free green veggie include folate, potassium, manganese, thiamine, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

How is savoy cabbage grown?

Like other leafy vegetables, savoy cabbage needs to be grown in a garden that gets full sunlight and has a good drainage system. It grows best in a cool climate, which is great news for Northern gardeners whose growing seasons are significantly shorter than those in the Southern United States. Savoy cabbage can be grown during the winter in cold, frost, and will even survive in the snow.

Since the heads of cabbage grow to be quite large, seeds should be planted every 12- to 18-in. Rows should be 18- to 24-in apart. It takes between 70 and 110 days for cabbage to be ready for harvest.

Savoy cabbage isn’t difficult to grow, but it can become a victim of caterpillars and other garden pests if not sprayed with insecticide. You can make your own DIY insecticide with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

When is savoy cabbage in season?

Savoy cabbage is considered a winter vegetable and can be grown year-round in much of the Northern Hemisphere. Savoy cabbage is best in April after the winter growing season. For the summer growing season, savoy cabbage is planted in early summer and then harvested in the fall. This crop has a milder flavor and is more green than blue-green in color.

How do you pick savoy cabbage at the grocery store?

When buying a savoy cabbage, you want to look for a few things:

• Appearance. The summer cabbages are a lighter green, while winter ones are the blue-green color that the cabbage is known for. Leaves should be either of these shades, but not yellow, brown, or grey. They should appear crisp, and should you try, break off easily.
• Weight. Cabbages should feel heavy for their size.
• Sound. Often, you smell produce to determine freshness, but with savoy cabbage, you can shake it gently. You want to hear a soft rustling sound inside the cabbage.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for savoy cabbage via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for savoy cabbage.

How to store savoy cabbage

Fresh savoy cabbage keeps for up to 3 weeks when stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area like a pantry or basement. To keep the cabbage fresh for as long as possible, keep the outer leaves intact and unwashed once you start to use them. Pull them out as you break off some of the inner leaves to use for your cooking. Reposition the outer leaves over the remaining inner leaves until you’re ready to use more leaves.

You can continue to store it in a cool area or move it to your refrigerator. Washed and chopped cabbage leaves will keep for 3 to 4 days before wilting and going bad. For optimal freshness, store leaves in a plastic bag with paper towels to absorb moisture.

Cabbage can be frozen and stored in freezer bags or containers. Wash and cut it before blanching it in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes. Place it in ice water to stop the cooking, then drain the excess water off before placing it in containers to freeze.

How to tell if savoy cabbage is bad

You can tell if your savoy cabbage is going bad by observing it.

• Is it no longer green?
• Are there yellow, brown, or grey spots?
• Are the leaves no longer holding their shape?
• Is it becoming slimy?
• Does it smell off?
• Is there mold?

Answering “yes” to any one of these questions indicates your cabbage should be headed for the compost bin rather than the cutting board.

What can I substitute for savoy cabbage?

For those times when you can’t find savoy cabbage, the best substitute for it is Napa cabbage. It’s similar in texture and holds its shape pretty well during cooking. When in a pinch, regular green cabbage will work.

Liven up your meals with savoy cabbage

Jam-packed with all sorts of nutrients and low in fat and calories, cabbage is one food you can easily add to anything for a nutritious boost. There’s no need to sneak it into salads, soups, and casseroles. Let it take the spotlight on your dinner table at your next meal.

You can order a head of savoy cabbage other fresh produce and have it delivered to your door with Instacart. Ordering takes just minutes, and your Instacart shopper will find the best produce at your favorite store and deliver them the same day.

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