I love how certain colors are associated with specific holidays.
Just a couple examples…
Red = Valentine’s Day
Green = St. Patrick’s Day
Orange = Halloween
Blue and White = Hanukkah
And of course, Red and Green = Christmas.
I know, it is a little cutesy to make things like red risotto for Valentine’s and green cupcakes for St. Paddy’s…but that’s the point, it is cute. And so festive.
That’s where this Sweet and Tangy Cabbage-Cranberry Sauté comes in. And admittedly, I was lacking a little bit in green when I made it, but I’m confident your dish will look better than mine, lol. I used dried dill, but to really amp up the color green, use fresh dill (because you can use a little more of it since fresh isn’t as strong as dried), or use fresh parsley, which you can even use a little more of.
It goes pretty well with any number of things, making it the perfect side dish to add to your holiday table.
What’s your favorite holiday side dish?
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice (or 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) green cabbage, core removed and thinly sliced into shreds (about 4 to 5 cups)
- 1 medium-large onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 5 tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries, divided
- 1 bay leaf
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill (or 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley)
- Whisk together the water, lemon juice, and honey in a small bowl and set aside.
- Add the oil to a large, deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cabbage, onion, 4 tablespoons cranberries, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and water/lemon juice/honey mixture.
- Give it a stir to coat, then cover the skillet and cook until the cabbage is tender and starts to take on a rosy hue, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle on the reserved 1 tablespoon of cranberries and the dill (or parsley); serve.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
December 20, 2013 at 5:53 amA beautiful, festive and healthy dish! I love to prepare my cabbage in such a manner. I really love the addition of cranberries.
Cheers,
Rosa
deana says
December 20, 2013 at 6:05 amVery interesting combination, I love them both. Here’s wishing you a happy and healthy holiday, I know it will be delicious!
Katie says
December 21, 2013 at 2:28 amYeah – you have just saved me oodles of time trying to think of a side dish for Christmas dinner! We had two cabbages in our fridge from the CSA share and I just gave one to the chickens this week. Cabbages just intimidate me – so hard, dense, and unappetizing (even to the chickens!) But this recipe sounds perfect – simple ingredients, vegetarian, and uses up that darn cabbage!
Judith says
December 21, 2013 at 8:16 amLove cabbage; thanks for the recipe. I think this would be good as a relish for hot dogs during the Summer.
Mimi says
December 21, 2013 at 9:32 amPretty!
Joanne says
December 21, 2013 at 9:58 amThis is SO festive!! Unfortunately the.boy can’t stand cabbage…but maybe I should make this and eat it all myself? Good life plan.
Carolann says
December 21, 2013 at 5:22 pmThis cabbage recipe sounds delish! It will surely help with my dieting. Thank you !
Jeanette ~ Jeanette's Healthy Living says
December 21, 2013 at 11:00 pmLove how festive this sauteed cabbage looks Faith! Side dishes are some of my favorites this time of year.
Andrea says
December 22, 2013 at 4:07 am…Faith, if you stop being “cutesy”, I’m going to cry! That would add another profile to this dish, and no color…I did use a red onion, and 1/2 purple cabbage. So not traditional Christmas colors but festive colors, none the less. I am a cabbage freak, (or maybe just a freak)…make a salad that’s way healthier then the coleslaw most people eat. I’ll post it, or float it your way as soon as the dust settles. Your an angel, bless you and your family…XO