Citrus-Cilantro Cabbage Salad

One thing that you might notice at restaurants in Costa Rica that serve typical food is that the salads are mostly made with a base of cabbage instead of the more mainstream lettuce. In such a hot climate, the lettuce in Costa Rica wilts quicker, while a hearty head of cabbage is sure to last weeks without a hint of aging. Another characteristic that makes Costa Rican salads distinct is that Ticos seem to rarely use much salad dressing. Mostly just lime juice, salt and cilantro and sometimes a splash of vinegar, occasionally substituted for ‘salsa rosada‘ — mayonnaise and ketchup mixed.

While a side salad may use lettuce with this minimalistic dressing along with tomato slices and hearts of palm, cabbage beats out its brethren in nearly every other dish. From vigarones (fried pork rinds served on a bed of shredded cabbage salad with lime), to the side salad that barely fits on the plate when you order a casado (a common lunch dish of rice, beans, salad, fried sweet plantains and a meat), cabbage is king in the Costa Rica salad world. I recently tried my hand at a Costa Rican typical salad, but with a twist (of course!).

(Serves 4)

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ head of green cabbage, sliced in very thin strips (much like coleslaw – try using a wide blade grater)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
• snow peas, stems removed, chopped in 1” pieces
• 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced into rings
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into oval rings
• 1 or 2 green onions, sliced into thin rings (use white and green part)

DRESSING:

• ¼ cup white vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• juice of  lime
• 2 Tablespoons Honey
• 2 Tablespoons cilantro
• ½ jalapeño (seeded)
• garlic salt, salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a large salad bowl, simply toss all the salad ingredients and in a separate bowl, whisk together the salad dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and let sit up to an hour before serving to let the flavors blend and the cabbage soften.

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Ashley Blevins is the author of Costa Rica Page’s new column “Costa Rica foodie”. For additional information about cheap food in Costa Rica, visit her blog at:    www.cheapfoodhere.com

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Filed under: Living on May 15th, 2009