Napa cabbage: The winter superfood your eyesight needs
New Year's resolutions often focus on improving nutrition. Are you planning to eat more vegetables? Don’t wait—prepare a simple salad today. You only need a few ingredients.
A salad for lunch or dinner is the simplest way to eat more veggies. Ideally, they should be included in every meal. However, initially, it's worth aiming for at least two. In winter, we often excuse ourselves by saying that the selection of fresh vegetables is smaller. It's true, but there are some vegetables we often forget about.
Best when raw
Napa cabbage is still overshadowed by its more popular cousin, the white cabbage. Not only is it tasty, but it's also extremely versatile. It can be used in dishes like sauerkraut stew and meat and fish recipes, but it's especially valuable for salads, which is when it contains the most nutrients. Napa cabbage is rich in vitamins C, K, and B group vitamins, which support the immune system. At this time of year, that's incredibly important.
Boosts vision and aids digestion
Napa cabbage is also a source of beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body, supporting eyesight. This may improve visual acuity and reduce the risk of eye diseases like macular degeneration. Napa cabbage is fiber-rich, aiding digestion and maintaining a healthy digestive system. This component is especially beneficial in post-holiday meals. The Christmas and New Year holidays are occasions for feasting, which often leads to overeating. Supporting digestion is important, and this salad will certainly help.
Napa Cabbage Salad
Ingredients:
- Half a Napa cabbage
- 1 fresh cucumber, optionally pickled
- Half a red bell pepper
- A few cherry tomatoes, optionally sun-dried
- 1 carrot
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or wine vinegar
- Half a teaspoon mustard
- Half a teaspoon of honey
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 clove garlic, optionally
- Dill or parsley
- Italian herb mix, optionally
Preparation:
- Finely chop the cabbage, and grate the carrot and cucumber on a coarse grater.
- Slice the bell pepper into thin strips and cut the tomatoes in half.
- Combine the ingredients in a salad bowl and mix.
- Prepare the dressing in a separate dish by mixing all the ingredients.
- Add a crushed clove of garlic and season the dressing to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix. Garnish with finely chopped parsley or dill, or use the Italian herb mix.
