Red cabbage, radicchio and endive join fennel, raisins and toasted walnuts in this crunchy winter salad.
I don’t know why it’s taken me quite so long to write about red cabbage. It’s a powerhouse of nutrition in a pretty package.
Its vivid color reveals a powerful concentration of anthocyanins which are believed to have anti-oxidant properties, not to mention that it delivers a pretty good dose of Vitamin C.
So how come so many people shy away from it? I have to think it may have something to do with many people’s first encounter with the cabbage family…coleslaw. Bland, soggy and dripping in mayo, this quintessential American slaw does cabbage no favors.
But I grew up eating this crunchy, cruciferous vegetable; mainly raw, shredded, spiked with spicy Dijon mustard and mouth puckering vinegar. Its vibrant color intensified and sturdy texture softened under the acidity of the vinegar while the mustard added even more heat to this brightly colored member of the cabbage family and a little olive oil rounded out the sharp edges.
I still make it that way, but lately I’ve taken to accessorizing my red cabbage salads a bit. Radicchio and endive have joined the mix for a bitter edge as well as fennel for added freshness and crunch. A handful of buttery walnuts and sweet, chewy raisins are tossed in for texture and balance while snippets of fresh flat leaf parsley add some liveliness to the color palate.
This is my winter salad, the one I come back to time and time again when I’m craving something light and crunchy in the middle of a season dominated by heartiness and warmth.
Red Cabbage, Radicchio and Endive Salad
A light and crunchy salad filled with finely shaved winter favorites like red cabbage, radicchio and endive.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- ½ small red cabbage, finely shredded (using a mandoline or the shredding disk of a food processor if possible)
- 1 small radicchio, finely sliced
- 2 Belgian endives, finely sliced
- 1 small fennel bulb, fronds reserved and finely sliced
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup/ 30g toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- 2 Tablespoons raisins (optional)
For the Dressing
- 1 ½ Tablespoons /22ml apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon/5ml pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml toasted walnut oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the thinly shredded cabbage, radicchio, endives and fennel in a large bowl with the parsley and chopped fennel fronds.
- Whisk the vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, olive oil and walnut oil in a small bowl. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss the salad with the vinaigrette just before serving, top with toasted walnuts and raisins if desired.
Notes
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 256Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 3g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
CJ at Food Stories says
This salad is gorgeous & full of nutrition ... Love it, Sylvie 🙂
Barbara says
Really like the combo in your salad, Sylvie. I eat endive every day for lunch and love it. Not as fond of fennel, although I love it roasted. But will definitely add the red cabbage! Great dressing.
Jeanne @ CookSister! says
Oh Sylvie, I LOVE this! I have always loved raw cabbage ever since I was a child - its crunch has always beguiled me. Love the play of flavours and textures in this salad.
thelittleloaf says
I adore this kind of crunchy bitter winter salad. Beautiful photos and love how you've brought the walnut flavour out in the dressing too.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
If it keeps it's crunch then it's delicious, and your salad looks so fresh and amazing..love it!
Jeanette says
I love how beautiful this winter salad is. I'm teaching a soup class at our senior center next week and this would be perfect. Thanks!
Nina says
Thats such a colorful salad.I usually make a stir fry using red cabbage, never tried them on salads.Lovely!
Nina says
Thats such a colorful salad.I usually make a stir fry using red cabbage, never tried them on salads.Lovely!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
We eat a salad almost everyday and it's so nice to see one with endive in it - one of my favorite veggies. I sometimes buy a red cabbage to give some color accent but never paid an attention to the nutrition fact. Good to know! The photography is absolutely gorgeous!
susan says
This is my kind of salad, Sylvie. I love the combo of all of your ingredients and cannot wait to make a version of this!