Cabbage

Cabbage is a round vegetable with leaves that wrap tightly around each other. It can be green, red, or purple. Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables in the world. People use it in soups, salads, and many other yummy dishes.

How Cabbage Grows

Cabbage grows on a short stem close to the ground. As it grows, the leaves curl up into a big ball called a head. A single cabbage head can weigh more than 10 pounds. Cabbage likes cool weather and grows best in spring and fall. Farmers have been growing it for over 4,000 years.

Foods Made from Cabbage

People around the world use cabbage in many ways. In America, it is used to make coleslaw, a crunchy salad. In Germany, cabbage is turned into sauerkraut, which is soft and sour. In Korea, people make a spicy dish called kimchi from cabbage. It can also be added to stir-fries and soups.

Fun Facts

• The world's heaviest cabbage weighed 138 pounds.
• Red cabbage changes color when you cook it with vinegar.
• Cabbage has more vitamin C than an orange.

Did You Know?

The ancient Romans thought cabbage was a magic plant that could cure almost any sickness. They ate it before and after big dinners.