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ladle scooping swamp cabbage
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Swamp Cabbage

Our one pot swamp cabbage makes a wonderfully, hearty one pan dinner, delicious side dish, our perfect potluck offering!
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cabbage recipes, one pot meals, one pot recipes, Southern food
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 537kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

  • 6 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
  • 5 1/2 ounces smoked sausage sliced into 1/2 inch thick pieces
  • 1 small red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed then finely chopped
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
  • 8 cups cabbage, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 (14-ounce) jar hearts of palm, drained and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, including juices
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large pan or Dutch oven, fry chopped bacon (6) over medium-high heat until it releases its fat and edges are crispy; Set aside, reserving drippings.
  • Stir the sausage (5 1/2 ounces) into the Dutch oven (with bacon) and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and bacon is crisp, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Stir in red pepper (1), onion (1 cup), and celery (1/2 cup), and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic (1 tablespoon) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the cabbage (8 cups), hearts of palm (1 jar), tomatoes (1 can), water (1/4 cup), Cajun seasoning (1 1/4 teaspoon), and sugar (1/4 teaspoon). Adjust the heat to medium-high and simmer.
  • Cover the Dutch oven and cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, about 8-10 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve!
    florida swamp cabbage in a pot

Notes

  1. Originally: Made with sabal palmetto, also called cabbage palm. We use the more accessible, canned hearts of palm. Is it the same thing. No, but if you don't have access to the natively grown plant, it's the best substitution you can get!
  2. Make It Crispy! Be sure to take your time when browning the bacon and sausage in order to form crisp edges.
  3. Overcooking: Don't overcook the cabbage. Overcooked cabbage can smell sulfurous.
  4. Large Dutch Oven: I like to use my enameled cast iron Dutch oven to make this Floridians fav!
  5. Variations: Personalize your swamp cabbage stew with more south Florida favorites such as shrimp, jalapeño pepper, or green bell pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 888mg | Potassium: 2556mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1290IU | Vitamin C: 96mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 4mg