CABBAGE

Geek talk: Brassica Oleracea But we talk: col(Spanish), gōbhī (Hindi), muttaikocu (Tamil) Description: The cuteness of this vegetables is best expressed by "Mon petit chou", it’s a phrase used by French for centuries to show their endearment to their children’s and it means “my little cabbage” [1]!!! Cabbage is a round shaped vegetable with multiple layers of its leaf. It derived its name from the French word “caboche”, a colloquial term for "head."[2] It belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables and is related to kale, broccoli, collards and Brussels sprouts. There are three major types of cabbage: green, red, and Savoy. The green and red cabbage has smooth-textured leaves while the Red cabbage has leaves that are either crimson or purple with white veins running through it. [3] Cabbage is comparatively an expensive vegetable but it is one of richest in terms of protective vitamins. It is widely consumed in salads as well. Hailed as a cancer inhibitor, cabbage also improves the immune system, protects against harmful bacteria, soothes ulcers, and improves circulation. [4] Native to Europe, Cabbage is majorly produced in Asia and Europe. Almost 80% of the world total production comes from these two continents. [5] . Kitchen Pharmacy: Fresh cabbage is an excellent source of natural antioxidant, vitamin C, it helps the body to develop a resistance against infectious agents and pro-inflammatory free radicals. [6] Cabbage is very rich in fiber, it helps to retain water and form the bulk of the food and the bowels. Thus it is a good cure for constipation and related problems. [7] Cabbage is rich is sulphur and it is a very useful nutrient as it fights infections. [7] Cabbage is also rich in iodine that helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system, apart from keeping the endocrinal glands in proper condition. [7] Nutrition: 1 Medium Size Cabbage contains

Origin: Mediterranean

  References:

1. http://www.ehow.com/info_8047269_french-terms-endearment-children.html
2. https://www.msu.edu/~sindijul/Fruits%20and%20Vegetables/Cabbage.htm
3. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=19
4. http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhealthinformation/a/cabbagehealth.htm
5. http://www.zipmec.com/en/cabbage-history-production-trade-guide-vegetable.html#produzione_cavolo
6. http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cabbage.html
7. http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-cabbage.html\