We first learned about swamp cabbage in a church cookbook that a local friend shared with the staff. “Swamp cabbage?! What the heck is that?” You can imagine our confusion and intrigue. We love learning about and trying these recipes, which are treasures hidden in our corners of the South. Swamp cabbage remains one of his most unique.
In our research, we found that swamp cabbage is not traditionally made from cabbage at all. It is a dish that uses the heart of a coconut instead, and its roots go back to Native Americans. Over time, Floridians adapted the original dish into something just as flavorful and a little more subtle: cabbage in the palm of your hand.
The bog cabbage is smoky thanks to the sausage and bacon. The heart of the coconut has a thick texture and a salty, artichoke-like flavor. Learn how to make bog cabbage and delight your friends and family by sharing this dish and its special story.
What is swamp cabbage?
Swamp cabbage is a plant also known as sabal palm or cabbage palm tree. It also happens to be Florida’s state tree, growing in the Southeast and parts of Mexico, so it can be found in almost every region of the state.
The tall part just below the leaf of the sabal palm is the heart, or heart of the palm, which has been eaten for generations in all kinds of dishes, including salads and, of course, the eponymous bog cabbage. .
Eaten alone, it’s a simple dinner where meats like bacon or sausage bring out the flavor. However, it is often served as a side dish with fried fish, boiled shrimp, and other Florida favorites.
There is also Swamp cabbage festival If you’re curious and want to learn more or try it, it’s held annually in Lovell, Florida (about 40 miles east of Fort Myers).
Swamp cabbage ingredients
This ingredient list focuses on flavor and great texture. Here’s what you need:
- Thick-sliced hickory smoked bacon: The extra flavor from the hickory smoking process pays off in intense flavor in the final dish.
- Hickory smoked sausage: I recommend the Conecuh, which has an incredibly deep flavor. If you can’t find this variety, you can use any smoked sausage. Be sure to cook it well to extract as much flavor as possible.
- Green bell pepper, yellow onion, celery: You may recognize this as the Holy Trinity. These aromas enhance the flavor of the dish and add crunch and texture.
- cabbage: Shredded cabbage will soften quickly.
- Heart on the palm: Look for the canned variety and be sure to drain and slice.
- Diced tomatoes: The canned tomatoes add a bit of sweetness and a soft bite to the contrast of the palm center and cabbage.
- All-purpose seasoning:We like the brand Everglades. It is a mixture of garlic, onions and other spices.
How to store wetland cabbage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This dish can also be made in advance of when you plan to eat it and stored for up to 3 days. Simply add stock to rehydrate if needed and reheat in the skillet.
How to eat swamp cabbage
This dish can be made into a full meal by adding a slice of cornbread. It has plenty of meat and vegetables. But if you want to round out your plate, try the fried catfish, grilled royal red, or freshly baked crab cakes.