Cabbage is in season in Florida from December to May (FDACS 2015). Cabbage is an important Florida agricultural commodity and has many culinary uses. Look for them now at your local grocery store or farmers market.
Fun Cabbage Facts
- In the most recent agricultural statistics, Florida ranked third in the United States in cabbage production (USDA NASS 2014).
- The majority of the cabbage produced in Florida is grown in the northeastern part of the state, a region known as the Hastings area (Elwakil and Mossler 2013).
- Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable. Other cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, and kale. Cruciferous vegetables are high in vitamins and fiber (National Cancer Institute 2012).
- The core of a fresh cabbage should smell sweet, and the leaves should be firm and free of holes (FDACS 2015).
- The largest cabbage on record was 138.25 pounds (National Public Radio 2012)!
Cooking Suggestions
References
Elwakil, W. M., and M. Mossler. 2013. Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Cabbage. CIR1256. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi042
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). 2015. “Cabbage.” Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Food-Nutrition-and-Wellness/Living-Healthy-in-Florida/Healthy-Learning/All-About-Florida-Products/Cabbage
National Cancer Institute. 2012. Cruciferous Vegetables and Cancer Prevention. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/cruciferous-vegetables-fact-sheet
National Public Radio. 2012. “Alaska Man Rolls Record Cabbage out of the Patch.” Accessed December 1, 2015. http://www.npr.org/2012/09/04/160562400/alaska-man-rolls-record-cabbage-out-of-the-patch
US Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). Statistics of Vegetables and Melons. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Ag_Statistics/2014/chapter04.pdf
Photo credit: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS
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