cabbage core.. edible?

[JulieM]

I've always known when I cook cabbage to toss the center core. Why is this? I love it raw and always snack on it while I'm preparing a recipe with cabbage. Does it not cook well? Does the flavor of it "contaminate" the dish? Just wondering, and couldn't find the answer with a google search. I just saw it repeated over and over to throw away the core.

[Hammster]

Hey Julie.
I think you kind of have to look at the context of the recipe you are making to determine why it might call to remove the core. If you are making something like cabbage rolls, you don't want the heavy core part of each leaf as it makes it tough to roll the leaf around the filling. However if you are making cole slaw, go right ahead and use the core as it will be part of the leaf and will be shredded very thin. Also the core section could take longer to cook in a recipe as it is denser than the leaf.
Having said all that, the wonderful thing about most recipes is that they are guidelines only. Ultimately you do what you like with a recipe. If you want to leave the core in, leave it in. If you don't then don't. I rarely throw the core away. And as you have discovered the core is wonderful eaten out of hand so throw it raw (Chopped or sliced or shredded) into a salad of tossed greens.
Hope this helps. :D

[golden1225]

Julie,
I have always cut the core out and eaten it as I make whatever dish is on the menu for the day. When I was little my mom would cut the core out and we'd eat it together with a little salt on it. Hasn't hurt us yet!
Lynne
:)