The Vibrant Caribbean Pot Cookbook
Soup Season Cookbook
Get My Latest Cookbooks
On Sale Now

One Kitchen, Many Cultures

Gluten Free Meat & Poultry

Cabbage With Smoked Pork And Pumpkin.

The only way mommy could get me/us to eat cabbage as kids growing up on the islands, was if she made or bought Chow Mein. Back then I don’t ever recall seeing bean sprouts in Chow Mein as I do in Canada as the norm. Maybe I’ll share that recipe soon! However as an adult, I’m always looking for ways to put cabbage to use. Here’s another (soon to be) classic dish using the humble cabbage..

You’ll Need…

1/2 lb smoked pork soup bones
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 lb pumpkin (cubed)
2 pimento peppers (aka seasoning peppers)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 1/2 – 2 lb cabbage
1 medium onion (sliced)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 bell pepper (chopped)

Notes! I used sea salt as it’s the only salt I really use. Use your fav salt. Should you wanted to add 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and 2 cloves crushed garlic, it will add additional flavor to the overall dish. If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. May I suggest you watch the video below as some questions you may have should be answered there.

At my local butcher the smoked pork I purchased was labelled as Smoked Pork Soup Bones. In your area it may be called something else. Should you want to use remnants of ham, smoked pork hocks, smoked ribs, or if pork is not your thing, you may use smoked turkey. Regular smoked pork or turkey bacon could be used with success as well.

Heat the oil in a pan on a med/low flame and add the pieces of smoked pork. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes to flavor the oil and the render some of it’s fat out.

Then add the sliced onion, black pepper and pimento peppers. Don’t stress if you can’t source the pimento pepper (I grew mine, but you can try West Indian and Asian supermarkets). It gives the dish a lovely flavor, without any heat.

After a couple minutes add the curry powder and if you wanted, some garlic and dry thyme.

Next goes the diced pumpkin (butternut squash will work as well) and stir. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, then add the bell pepper.

Two minutes later add the chopped cabbage and mix well to combine and coat everything with that lovely smokey flavor.

Don’t worry if you find that it looks like it will not all fit, as the cabbage gets in contact with the heat from the pan, it will wilt down. Add in layers if necessary. Top with the salt and cook on a medium flame until it’s tender to your liking. BTW I did wash the cabbage before and after slicing.

I allowed it to cook for 5-6 minutes after adding the cabbage (pan uncovered) as the residual water from washing the cabbage and the natural juices it sprouted allowed it to steam sauté.

To personalize things, taste and adjust the salt to your liking and determine how ‘cooked’ you want the finished cabbage. The diced pumpkin will give the dish a wonderful sweet undertone. Should you want to give it a kick, add a few slices of your fav hot pepper. Serve with rice or as you would with any cabbage dish.

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Classic Jamaican Steamed Cabbage Recipe.

If I had a dollar! Jamaican Style steamed cabbage, is probably one of the most requested recipes I get via Instagram, especially from those who have visited Jamaica at some point in their life and have had the pleasure of this simple dish. Not necessarily a “Jamaican” dish, as I’ve had it throughout the Caribbean in one for or another, however it’s the term used to best identify it.

You’ll Need…

1 large Cabbage (about 6 cups shredded)
1 onion (sliced)
2 scallions (chopped)
3-4 sprigs thyme
3 cloves garlic (crushed or sliced)
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper (sliced thin)
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 veg stock cube (crushed)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large carrot (julienne)
1 red bell pepper (julienne)
1 green bell pepper (julienne)
2 allspice berries (pimento)
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust)

Important. If making this dish gluten free, please use a stock cube which meets with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Remember to wear gloves when handling such hot peppers as Scotch Bonnet.

Start by prepping all the ingredients! Then in a wide pot on a low heat add the olive oil (any oil you like using) then add the onion and garlic, stir and then continue adding the black pepper, pimento berries, thyme and Scotch Bonnet pepper. Cook on low for about 3 minutes.

Turn the heat up to med/low and add the carrot and bell peppers, followed by the salt and stock cube (crushed). Stir well and cook for two minutes.

It’s now time to add the shredded (cut as you like) to the pot and stir well. It will look like a lot, however it will wilt down. Place the lid on the pot and get it to steam within it’s own juices.

After about 6 minutes (try to stir it a couple times while it steams) it’s time to personalize things a bit. Taste for salt and adjust to your own liking and you can turn off the stove if the texture is to your liking or cook longer.

A classic vegan side dish your entire family will love. Don’t forget to watch the video below. If you can, please support. And should you have questions about this recipe or anything food related, be sure to Ask Chris.

I'm Chris

Welcome to my kitchen, where Caribbean flavor takes center stage. Since 2009, I've been sharing recipes, stories, and memories that celebrate the food I grew up with and the people who taught me how to cook.

Whether you're here to master the classics, try something new, or just find comfort in a bowl of soup or plate of rice, there's a spot for you at this table.

Let's cook something delicious together.

More About Me