After a good red cabbage for pickling

[Stu_R]

Anyone pickle their red cabbages or can recommend me a good red cabbage for pickling.

Easy to grow would be nice as well

[ginger ninger]

I've grown "Red Drumhead" before and that's a nice firm cabbage, ideal for pickling. But Unwins have a red cabbage called "Ruby Perfection" which is ideal for smaller spaces. And it say's " Solid red heads are produced on these neat plants"...sounds good to me.

Cabbage Ruby Perfection at Unwins

[Florence Fennel]

Coincidence there Ginge, I've just got some to try, I haven't grown red cabbage before.

[Two_Sheds]

Rodima is my all time fave

[Kristen]

Rodima is my all time fave

Excellent! That's the one I have bought seed of for this year (first time).

I had some doubt about some of the others surviving the Winter well - only going on hearsay from the forums though.

EDIT: Sorry, that may be completely irrelevant for Pickling of course, as you can get to that before the Winter proper.

[Stu_R]

Thankyou for the recommendations, I will look into them varieties



edit - gone for red drumhead.

[ginger ninger]

I think you've made a good choice with the "Red Drumhead" Stu. Here's a quick pickled Red cabbage recipe, that's if you've not got one!!
Mind, you have to grow one first

PICKLED RED CABBAGE

Ingredients

1 lb. shredded red cabbage
1 tbsp. salt
2 pints white wine vinegar
1 tbsp. soft brown sugar
1 tbsp. pickling spice

Method

1. Peel the cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle each layer with salt. Leave for 24 hours.
2. Drain off any liquid and rinse off any surplus salt.
3. Put the vinegar, sugar and pickling spices into a pan, and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and allow to cool for at least 2 hours. Strain.
4. Pack the cabbage loosely into jars and cover with the spiced vinegar. Cover label and store in a cool place.

Can begin to eat after 1 week. Will begin to loose its crispness within 2 to 3 months. ENJOY

[Alison]

I grew Red Drumhead last year and they were nice although a bit on the small size for my liking (think they were planted out a bit late). The one I left on the plot did indeed fall to the weather but I have some very healthy looking plants in the polytunnel which were sown in the late summer as an experiment. Not hearting yet but will have to see how they go.

[Stu_R]

Brill, thanks for that recipe ginger. Its been added to my cucumber and onion 1s ready.

As you said tho, got to grow them 1st. hopefully its going to be a good year