February 17 is National Cabbage Day in the U.S.
It’s a day with a lot of Schuylkill County significance. There’s probably cabbage on the dinner table in some form every night somewhere in the coal region.
Dishes both from our Polish and Eastern European descendants and our Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors feature cabbage aplenty. And what good is a hot dog without sauerkraut?
So, in honor of National Cabbage Day, let’s take a look at some fast and fun facts on the day and the leafy (and gassy) veggie.
Celebrate National Cabbage Day
Here are some quick and interesting facts on cabbage:
- According to the Guinness of World Records, the heaviest cabbage weighed in at 138.25 pounds. It was presented by Scott A. Robb (USA) in Palmer, Alaska, USA, on August 31, 2012.
- Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables. Although it is difficult to trace the exact origins, ancient China and Egypt cultivated the crop. It dates back to 1000 BC in Europe.
- The record for the largest cabbage dish is 1,221 pounds. On December 19, 2008 the city of Prilep in Macedonia made 80,191 cabbage rolls or sarmas as they are called locally.
- Too much cabbage can cause bloating and flatulence. This is because the human small intestine cannot digest the trisaccharide raffinose in cabbage.
- There are more than 400 varieties of cabbages.
Cabbage, a Coal Region Favorite
OK, people may not say cabbage is their favorite vegetable or food but it’s likely part of it. There are so many dishes served up in Schuylkill County, part of the coal region palate, that wouldn’t be the same without cabbage:
- Halupkis
- Haluski
- Pork and sauerkraut
- Pierogi with sauerkraut filling
- Gołąbki
- Cole slaw
- Pepper cabbage
CHECK OUT OUR SEARCH FOR THE BEST HALUSKI RECIPE
Weatherly Cabbage Festival
An annual celebration takes place nearby in Weatherly at the Weatherly Cabbage Festival. The event, now going into its third year, will be on Oct. 12, 2019. You can find out more info about the Cabbage Festival on this Facebook page.
Image: Guinness Book of World Records
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