NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY
National Cabbage Day on February 17th recognizes a delightful garden staple that provides some of the best recipes for the Celtic holidays coming up next month. It’s an excellent day to test your corned beef and cabbage skills alongside other delicious seasonal dishes.
#NationalCabbageDay
From the French caboche, meaning head, cabbage comes in a variety of forms. The cabbage family is quite varied and includes Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi and kale. Cabbage is an ancient food with origins in Asia Minor (Turkey today) and the eastern Mediterranean.
French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first to bring cabbage to the Americas.
When selecting a cabbage, the head should be firm and dense. The fibrous leaves of a healthy cabbage should be shiny and crisp with no browning or bruising.
Cabbage is versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed or sautéd. A popular ingredient in Asian, German, Irish and Latin recipes, it’s a culturally diverse food. Having low calories (6 per leaf) makes cabbage a popular diet food as well. It has no fat or cholesterol, is low in sodium and carbs, and is a good source of Vitamin C.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY
- Bring out your favorite cabbage recipes.
- Wrap up pigs in a blanket or eat cabbage fresh.
- Make some delicious soup or vegetable wraps.
- In some areas of the country, you may be able to start planning your garden. Will you be planting cabbage this year? It’s time to decide on the variety you want to plant. Imagine all the goodness you can then make in your kitchen!
- No matter how you celebrate, be sure to invite someone to join you. Share your delicious creations with friends and family. If you don’t have a recipe to share, we’ve found several tasty ones to try.
- Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day!
- Use #NationalCabbageDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this vegetable holiday. We have yet to find the creator of the day under any cabbage leaf, newspaper article or proclamation.
Cabbage FAQ
Q. Can cabbage be eaten raw?
A. Yes. Cabbage can be eaten raw. The leaves are much denser than lettuce giving it a nice crunch. It has a peppery flavor that is also satisfying.
Q. Do lettuce and cabbage go well together in a salad?
A. Yes. You can combine a variety of lettuces with cabbage to make a salad.
Q. Can I freeze cabbage?
A. Yes. The best process is to blanch the leaves first. Once cooled, seal in an air-tight container. Frozen cabbage is best in cooked meals such as soups and casseroles.
Q. How many calories are in cabbage?
A. One cabbage leave contains about 6 calories.
February 17th Celebrated History
1827
The U.S. Patent Office issues patent no. 4,669X to Chester Stone of Middlebury, New Haven County, Connecticut for the invention of a washing machine. The record of the patent was destroyed in the 1836 Patent Office fire at the Blodget’s Hotel. However, 61 years after Stone invented the washing machine, his son Marvin would invent the revolutionary drinking straw.
1863
Jean-Henry Dunant, Gustave Moynier, Théodore Maunoir, Guillaume-Henri Dufour and Louis Appia organize the humanitarian organization known as the International Red Cross
1867
The Suez Canal officially opens and the first ship passes through, L’Aigle, the imperial yacht of French Empress Eugenie.
1933
Newsweek publishes its first issue. Samuel T. Williamson served as the weekly periodical’s first editor-in-chief.
1968
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opens in Springfield, Massachusetts.
1996
Human chess master, Garry Kasparov defeats IBM’s chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, 4 to 2.
2007
On the grounds of the North Dakota Capitol, 8,962 people set a record by making simultaneous snow angels.
February 17th Celebrated Birthdays
Raphaelle Peale – 1774
The artist is considered the first professional still-life artist in the United States. According to the National Gallery of Art, no more than 50 of his still-life pieces remain, though he also painted portraits, as did his father Charles.
Hilda Hewlett – 1864
Between 1910 and 1912, Hewlett founded a flying school, became the first British woman to earn a pilot’s license, and started building planes.
Mary Carson Breckinridge – 1881
In 1925, the American nurse-midwife founded the Frontier Nursing Service, providing rural health services. Her efforts brought much-needed training to remote areas of the Kentucky hills and the results were successful in numerous ways.
Hal Holbrook – 1925
The critically acclaimed American actor earned recognition on stage and screen. Known for bringing author Mark Twain to life on Broadway in Mark Twain Tonight!, and the films Into the Wild, All the President’s Men, Lincoln and Water for Elephants.
Lou Diamond Phillips – 1962
The Filipino-American actor is best known for his roles in the films La Bamba, Young Guns, and Stand and Deliver. He’s also known for the television series Longmire and Prodigal Son.
Michael Jordan – 1963
Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association. During his career, he won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Following his NBA career, Jordan has accomplished a successful business career.
Notable Mentions
Aaron Montgomery Ward -1843
Thomas J. Watson – 1874
Daniel Whitney – 1963