Certain dishes instantly transport you back to childhood, and for me, cabbage is one of them. My grandmother made the most delicious cabbage I have ever tasted. No matter how many times I prepare it myself, I always find myself comparing it to hers.
The truth is, I may have recreated her recipe perfectly over the years. The flavors are familiar, the ingredients are the same, and the method is nearly identical. Yet somehow, it never quite tastes like the cabbage I remember from her kitchen. Perhaps that’s the magic of a beloved grandmother’s cooking; it becomes intertwined with memories, family gatherings, and the comfort of being cared for.
While I may never be convinced that my version measures up to hers, I think Nanny’s Cabbage recipe comes pretty close. It’s simple, comforting, and full of the classic flavors that have made it a family favorite for generations. I hope you’ll give it a try and maybe even create a few cherished memories of your own around the dinner table.
Ingredients
1 head cabbage, cored and shredded or roughly chopped
Bacon grease, about 4 Tbsp.
1-2 tsp. sugar or sweetener of choice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat the bacon grease in a Dutch oven. If you do not have any stored bacon grease, cook two or three slices of bacon until the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon for another use, but leave the rendered fat in the pot.
Place the chopped cabbage in the pan. Give it a toss. Place the lid on top and let the cabbage simmer a couple of minutes.
Remove the lid and toss the cabbage once again. Place the lid on again and cook for another couple of minutes. Continue simmering and tossing until the cabbage is wilted and soft.
Add salt and pepper and stir.
When the cabbage is sufficiently softened, add the sugar or sweetener. Stir to combine and cook another couple of minutes before serving.
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