Caramelized Cabbage with Spicy Tomato Sauce
Caramelized cabbage with spicy tomato sauce is an easy vegetable-forward skillet side that fits beautifully into the Mediterranean Diet.
Servings: 4
Calories: 123kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ large head green cabbage thinly sliced (about ¼-inch thick)
- 4 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- ½ cup water or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the sliced cabbage. Spread it out in the pan and let it cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes at a time before stirring. Continue cooking until the cabbage softens and develops golden brown edges, about 12 minutes total.
- Push the cabbage to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the empty side of the pan.
- Cook the tomato paste and spices for about 1 minute, stirring, until slightly darkened and fragrant.
- Add the water or vegetable broth. Stir everything together until the cabbage is evenly coated in the sauce.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and infused with flavor.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level, or omit them for a milder version.
- Vegetable broth adds slightly more depth of flavor, but water works perfectly well.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat for best texture. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
- This recipe scales easily. Double the ingredients and use a larger skillet if cooking for a crowd.
Nutrition
Calories: 123kcal | Total Carbohydrate: 14g | Protein: 3g | Total Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 463mg | Dietary Fiber: 5g | Total Sugars: 7g | Vitamin A: 447IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg | Includes Added Sugar: 0g