Cabbage Raita with Peanuts and Cayenne

Cabbage raita as part of an Indian mealMy CSA box this week overflowed with brilliant rainbow swiss chard, new potatoes, carrots, fresh coriander and two heads of green cabbage. I’m not sure about you but every time I see a head of green cabbage I immediately think of coleslaw or sauerkraut. Leafing through some recipes I searched for some new inspiration to transform this humble vegetable. I thought of pickled spiced cabbage but needed something quick  and easy to make to accompany dinner.  I decided to adjust an interesting cabbage raita recipe (instead of the typical cucumber raita) which has the feel of belonging to the Gujarati or Maharastrian kitchen due to its garnish of peanuts.  Raita, like a pachadi, is the northern version of a cooling yogurt ‘salad’ or sauce accented with some vegetables or fruit. Serve it with a simple dal or grilled meat (beef or pork) or favourite curry.

Ingredients for cabbage raita with peanuts

Cabbage Raita with Peanuts and Cayenne
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups diced green cabbage (half a cabbage)
  • 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds, roasted and crushed
  • 1 tbsp peanuts, toasted and crushed
  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • ½- 1 tsp cayenne powder (depends on personal 'heat' level)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 green chilli, finely chopped
  • Salt
  • Coriander for garnish
Instructions
Bring pot of salted water to boil. Turn off heat. Add diced cabbage, cover and let sit in warm salted water for 10 minutes. Drain and dry with towel or let air dry for 15 minutes, shaking off excess water. In a large bowl, mix cabbage with yogurt, most of the cumin seeds (save some for garnish), half of the peanuts, most of the cayenne, sugar and green chilli. Season with some salt and mix well. Place in a serving bowl and garnish with the remainder of the peanuts, cumin, pinch of cayenne and coriander.

This cabbage raita can be made up to a day in advance and refrigerated.
Notes
Recipe adapted from India; the cookbook by Pushpesh Pant.

 NOTE: This was originally posted in my blog India On My Plate on August 5, 2011