Haluski (Buttery Cabbage and Noodles)
Published March 2, 2023

- Total Time
- 1 hour
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 6tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1yellow onion, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper
- 2pounds green cabbage (about 1 small), core chopped and leaves thinly sliced
- 12ounces wide egg noodles
Preparation
- Step 1
In a large Dutch oven, melt 5 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, 3 to 6 minutes. Add the cabbage, season generously with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender but not mushy, 35 to 40 minutes. (Browning is welcome, but if you see burning, reduce the heat and add a tablespoon or two of water.)
- Step 2
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the cabbage is done, remove from heat and keep covered. Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain the noodles.
- Step 3
Add the noodles, reserved pasta water and remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the cabbage. Stir over medium-high heat until the noodles are saucy and glossed with melted butter, 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Private Notes
Comments
As a teen in the 1970’s at an event in the Catskills there was a dish on the menu called “kraut varnishkes”, aka Cabbage and Noodles. As an adult I cook it often, especially as a side with fish. I use olive oil instead of butter and add some ground fennel (many cabbage recipes use fennel or caraway seeds). In the fall, I make a slightly different version with red cabbage, red onion, fennel bulb and toss in a handful of dried cranberries. I deglaze with a little unsweetened apple juice.
My nana taught me how to make this the traditional Hungarian way. I would never use a dutch oven as the sides are too high and would keep in the steam. I use a very large stainless steel fry pan with about 1 inch sides and just add my cabbage in batches. Browning is not only welcome but necessary. Browning is where the rich flavor comes from in this dish. I go for a rich caramel color. Start with half the butter and add as needed for sticking. Fry noodles at high heat in mix for a chewy crisp.
This dish is a forgotten childhood memory. I’m a woman of color and my mother called it by its correct name that I thought she made up. It was a joy to make it again after so many years. I added nutmeg and shredded leftover pork roast just as she did.
How does this freeze? Can this be frozen?
One of my favorites as a child. My mother would add polish sausage or spareribs sometimes. I add Chili crisp or mustard on top. Trust me it’s delicious!
A friend’s son used to ask for “garbage and noodles” (cabbage and noodles) when he would visit. I cook bacon until crisp, remove and reserve. Brown the minced onion in the bacon fat, then add a shredded cabbage. Salt, pepper, paprika and celery seed are then added along with a small drizzle of olive oil and a pat of butter. Cover and let cook down, stirring occasionally over medium heat. When cabbage is done add to cooked noodles. Not healthy at all but excellent comfort food!
