Cabbage Core Slaw Salad (Printable Version)

Crunchy slaw with shredded cabbage cores, sesame dressing, and toasted seeds. A fiber-rich, flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups finely shredded cabbage cores (from about 1 medium cabbage)
02 - 1 cup finely shredded green cabbage leaves
03 - 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned
04 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free option)
08 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
09 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Seeds & Toppings

11 - 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (white or mixed black and white)
12 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (pepitas), lightly toasted
13 - 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds, lightly toasted

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the shredded cabbage cores, cabbage leaves, julienned carrot, and sliced green onions.
02 - Whisk together toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl until emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Sprinkle the toasted sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds over the slaw. Toss gently to combine or reserve some seeds for garnish.
05 - Allow the slaw to rest for 10 minutes to meld flavors, then serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The cabbage core stays crispy long after dressing, so you can make this ahead without sogginess sabotaging your plans.
  • It's a fiber powerhouse that doesn't taste like you're being virtuous, thanks to the nutty sesame and subtle sweetness balancing everything.
  • Five ingredients in the dressing means you're actually done mixing while the vegetables are still being chopped.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the seeds yourself if you can, or at least buy pre-toasted ones. Raw seeds disappear into the background and the whole dish loses its warmth.
  • The cabbage core really does stay crunchy in a way that felt impossible to me the first time. Stop second-guessing it and trust the process.
03 -
  • Buy the smallest, tightest cabbage you can find. They have proportionally larger cores and taste sweeter than loose, sprawling ones.
  • Ginger and garlic are best minced fresh, not bottled, because the rawness of them in this dressing is part of the charm.
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