This is so simple, a recipe hardly seems necessary, but on the other hand, perhaps this will remind you of this side dish, estimably suited for fall and winter when the cabbage and apples are the best sorts of things to store from harvest until wanted for the table.
Even if you aren’t a farmwife with a root cellar, cabbage is inexpensive enough, and this is an excellent recipe for that apple or two you wanted to use up as it began to shrivel just slightly. In any case, it’s easy enough to adjust proportions to taste. It’s excellent with glazed ham, as we had it for this meal, but really any pork will pair harmoniously with it.
This serves 4, or two adults of light appetite and one teen boy after a long day of work. 
- 1/4 head of cabbage
- 2 apples
- 1 onion
- 4 juniper berries
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp coriander seed
- 1-2 tbsp bacon grease
- salt to taste
Slice the cabbage into strips about 1/4 in wide, beginning at the tip of the wedge and working horizontal to the base. Core the cabbage before slicing. Cut the apples and remove the core, then slice thinly, skins and all. Slice the onion thinly. In a mortar and pestle, grind the spices to a fine paste or powder.
In a large skillet over med-high heat, melt the bacon grease. Once it is hot, add in the vegetables, and the spices. Stir well, then cover the pan. Stir every few minutes until cooked soft, about twenty minutes. Salt to taste.
Comments
9 responses to “Fried Cabbage and Apples”
Feel like my mom made something like this once upon a time but can’t remember. Definitely not with juniper.
I’ve been slowly incorporating a few more German dishes into my repertoire since Sanford has so many fond memories of his six years living over there and eating good food.
Considering fiancé’s love of gin I probably should try cooking with juniper. Not sure if this dish would bother her guts though. Apples are iffy. Probably ok if she has a small quantity.
You could omit the apples if she can do the cabbage and onion.
I’ve never used the juniper, fennel, or coriander, either — when I’ve made fried cabbage with apples, I generally sprinkle just a little bit of brown sugar over it. But it’s good just plain.
That’s good food!
It is! So simple and easy, but a great Sunday dinner after I spent most of the day housecleaning.
Sounds delicious. I think the bacon grease is a good touch. (better than cooking oil.)
I keep a container of it by the stove and use it where I want a bit more flavor.