Nappa cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage or celery cabbage, is a member of the Brassica family. Nappa cabbage has a milder flavor than other types of cabbage, and it’s sometimes called napa kimchi because it’s often used in Korean cooking. While it’s usually cooked, you may wonder if you can eat Nappa cabbage raw.
Can You Eat Nappa Cabbage Raw?
Napa cabbage can be eaten raw. When eaten raw, it will have a crunchy texture and a mild taste. It is often used in salads or other raw vegetable dishes. It’s recommended to wash them thoroughly before eating them fresh or as part of a dish.
Are There Any Risks To Eating Nappa Cabbage Raw?
There are some risks to eating Nappa cabbage raw.
The most common problem is food poisoning, which can occur when a person eats food that has been contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Food poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
This is usually due to the vegetable not being washed thoroughly. For that reason, if you’re planning to eat Nappa cabbage raw, make sure to wash each leaf of the cabbage.
What Does Raw Nappa Cabbage Taste Like?
Nappa cabbage eaten raw has a milder flavor than red cabbage, and the taste is closer to that of green cabbage. It has a sweet flavor with a crunchy texture.
Raw Nappa cabbage can be used in salads and coleslaws if you like it better than red or green cabbages.
How To Clean Nappa Cabbage
Before eating Nappa cabbage, it’s important to wash them thoroughly first. This will help remove dirt and especially parasites from the vegetable.
Cleaning the cabbage is simple. All you need to do is remove the outer leaves from the stem and rinse in cold water.
Then shake off the excess water and dry with a paper towel. You’re ready to eat them raw or use them in your dish.
What Can You Do With Raw Nappa Cabbage?
Raw Nappa Cabbage is a great way to add fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your diet. It’s delicious in salads, stir-fries, and sandwiches, but it also works well when you’re cooking or baking.
Here are some fun ways to use raw cabbage in your cooking:
1. Make coleslaw with shredded raw cabbage, mayonnaise or yogurt dressing, salt, and pepper.
2. Use raw cabbage as a filling for tacos or burritos instead of ground beef or turkey.
3. Add shredded raw cabbage to green smoothies for extra nutrients and fiber without changing the flavor too much.
4. Shred raw cabbage into long strands for use as a garnish on soups, salads, or other dishes.
5. Cut raw cabbage into small pieces and sauté them in olive oil until just tender; then toss with pasta for an easy side dish or snack!
How To Cook Nappa Cabbage
You can eat napa cabbage raw, but it’s better to cook it. You can use a knife and cut the leaves off of your head of napa cabbage. Then wash your napa cabbage when you take off the leaves.
The most common way to cook Nappa cabbage is by steaming it, but there are other options available as well.
Steaming Nappa Cabbage
To steam Nappa cabbage, cut off any damaged leaves and discard them.
Then cut the head into quarters and remove the core with a knife or sharp paring knife. Rinse each quarter under cold water until all dirt and grit are removed from the leaves.
Place the quarters on a plate or cutting board and sprinkle them with salt; this will help draw out any excess moisture from the cabbage. Let the cabbage rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking it to help soften its texture and flavor even more.
Add about 1/2 inch of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer basket and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Place your steamer basket inside the pot then add your quartered Nappa cabbage pieces so they are not touching each other in any way; this will allow them to steam evenly without sticking together during cooking time.
Cover your pot with its lid then reduce the heat to the lowest setting.
After about 10 minutes, remove the lid and turn off the stove. Let it sit for another 10 minutes and you’re ready to enjoy it.
Conclusion
Nappa cabbage is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisines. It’s great for stir-fries, soups, and salads. While it’s great for cooking, Nappa cabbage can be eaten raw as well.
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
