Here I am today, staring at a mouthwatering Jamaican Cabbage Recipe and apple stir‑fry. If you had asked me a few years ago what vegetables I didn’t like, cabbage would have topped the list. I don’t think I’d ever actually tried it; I always thought it was something like cauliflower, which I also didn’t particularly like back then.
Tastes change, and I assure you that even the most averse to cabbage will love this stir‑fry. Besides the fact that the stir‑fried cabbage has a delicious flavor, this is a very healthy vegetable dish.
Clearly, cabbage isn’t just any old plant. It has a thousand names: kale, collard greens, collard greens, and I’m sure there are a few more. We can eat it all year round; in fact, I have to say that in every country I’ve lived in, I’ve found it right away.
It’s so hardy that it grows everywhere, and what’s more, it’s so cheap! I remember it cost about 10 kroner, roughly 1 euro, when I lived in Sweden, and that probably prompted me to try it.
This recipe has become special to me, and why? Because it’s one of the first dishes I cooked about two years ago when I started taking food photos.
Those first photos, compared to the ones I took today, prove that with effort and a willingness to learn, you can improve substantially in a short time.
Whenever I get discouraged and wonder if my photos are good enough, I compare these and realize that the effort was worth it.
I know my photos aren’t the best, but seeing how I’m growing in this field encourages me to keep learning. I recommend you try this exercise: without looking at the first photos you took of a recipe, photograph it again, applying everything you’ve learned so far. I assure you, you’ll be amazed when you compare them. Be very proud of your photos!
I’m rambling on, and I still haven’t told you the most important thing: how to turn a simple cabbage into a delicious and nutritious stir‑fry, which is summarized in this 30‑MINUTE recipe.
Jamaican Cabbage Recipe with Apple and Walnuts
Preparation time: 10 min
Cooking time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
How to turn a simple cabbage into a divine stir‑fry? The stir‑fried cabbage has a rich flavor, and the apples add a delicious touch of sweetness. Ready in 30 minutes.
Dish: Main course
Servings: 2
Author: Laura
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cabbage, cut into julienne strips | ¾ of a cabbage |
| Red onion, sliced into thin strips | 1 |
| White onion, sliced into thin strips | ½ |
| Red apple, sliced | ½ |
| Green apple, sliced | ½ |
| Chopped walnuts | 3 Tbsp. |
| Water | ½ cup (125 ml) |
| Slices of Serrano ham | 4 |
| Curry (optional) | ½ tsp. |
Step‑by‑Step Preparation
- Sauté the onions with 1 Tbsp. of oil until translucent.
- Add the cabbage and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Then add the water, preferably lukewarm so the cabbage softens faster. Add a pinch of salt and the curry powder, and cook for another 5 minutes or until all the water has evaporated.
- Add the apple and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the walnuts. Serve hot and garnish with the ham slices rolled into rose shapes. The ham will cook in the residual heat and will be delicious.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 210 kcal | 11% |
| Total Fat | 14 g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g | 8% |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 45 mg | 2% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20 g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g | 18% |
| Total Sugars | 12 g | |
| Protein | 4 g | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 30 mg | 33% |
| Calcium | 60 mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1 mg | 6% |
Disclaimer: Nutrition estimates are for general guidance only, based on a 2,000‑calorie diet. Actual values vary with dressing type, apple variety, and walnut quantity.
Recipe Notes
- Be careful not to overdo it with the curry; it’s best to use only ½ tsp. as it quickly overpowers the other flavors. You can always add more later.
- Vegan option: leave the ham aside and decorate your dish with fresh apple slices, it gives a very crunchy touch to the dish.