Caramelized Cabbage and Walnut Pasta

Published Jan. 18, 2023

Caramelized Cabbage and Walnut Pasta
Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(3,276)
Comments
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A single, modest cabbage goes a long way in this recipe. Green cabbage (though you could also use Savoy) becomes jammy and sweet when cooked with aromatic leeks and garlic for 15 minutes, a practically effortless concoction to toss with pasta. Cumin seeds add just the right amount of earthiness along with a subtle citrus tone; add more if you want a pronounced flavor, or substitute with fennel seeds or caraway. The walnuts balance out the sweetness of the cabbage and leeks, and introduce a slight bitterness and crunch. Store-bought roasted walnuts are a time saver here, but if you want them extra dark and crispy, toast them for 6 to 8 minutes in a 325-degree oven until deeply golden. If you have chives or scallions on hand, toss these in at the end for a lively finish.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • ¼cup olive oil
  • 3tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2leeks, white and tender green parts, thinly sliced into rings
  • 4garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2pounds finely sliced green cabbage
  • Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
  • 1pound spaghetti or other long pasta
  • 4ounces pecorino, grated, plus more for serving
  • 2 to 3teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
  • 3 to 4tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
  • 1to 1½ cups toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
  • Handful of chopped chives (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

1071 calories; 57 grams fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 18 grams monounsaturated fat; 20 grams polyunsaturated fat; 114 grams carbohydrates; 13 grams dietary fiber; 14 grams sugars; 34 grams protein; 1151 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium. Add the olive oil and butter. When the butter has melted, add cumin seeds and bloom for 15 seconds, then add the leeks, garlic, cabbage and 2 teaspoons salt, and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until wilted. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes without stirring. Check every few minutes to make sure the bottom is not burning. If needed, give it a stir.

  2. Step 2

    After 10 minutes, remove the lid from the cabbage and stir. Cover and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until it is supersweet and tender. Taste and season with kosher salt.

  3. Step 3

    Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions. When the pasta is ready, do not drain, but use tongs to drag the pasta out of its cooking water and straight into the pot with the cabbage. Add about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, along with the pecorino and the black pepper. Toss well to combine.

  4. Step 4

    Add lemon juice. Taste, adjusting seasonings with more salt, pepper or lemon, if needed. To serve, scatter with walnuts and finish with more pecorino and chopped chives, if using.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
3,276 user ratings
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Comments

I used to do a stir-fry with cabbage, brown rice, and walnuts. Those three ingredients go perfectly together.

This recipe lends itself fully to substitutions! What I did have was cabbage, garlic, pasta and lemon. What I didn't have was pecorino cheese, leeks or walnuts. Instead I used feta, shallots and onion and pecans. Delightful! This is now my husband's and my favorite cabbage dish!

I'm going to make this with wide egg noodles so it's more like my childhood favorite haluski.

My walnuts were not up to par so I substituted hazelnuts and they were brilliant. I dont think the ratio of cabbage to pasta makes any sense; I suggest alot more cabbage to the ratio. Otherwise a terrific recipe. Oh, and hot pepper flakes are a must. i laid a piece of grilled salmon over the pasta which was a perfect combination.

Kind of like a “grownup haluski “ except this seriously lacked flavor for me and I followed the recipe exactly. Next time I will use twice the lemon, maybe more salt and more butter. It’s quite bland whereas haluski, with its much simpler ingredients, is not.

I made this as stated, subbing red for green cabbage (which I always do for the nutritional boost). It was delicious and easily made enough for six.

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Credits

By Hetty McKinnon

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