Easy Radicchio and Napa Cabbage Salad

This Easy Radicchio and Napa Cabbage Salad comes together in less than 30 minutes but is bursting with flavor, texture, and health benefits! Did you know Radicchio contains antioxidants that can fight cancer cells? Not only that, but it is anti-parasitic and it also contains one of the highest servings of Vitamin K that you can find in a single vegetable. Combine that with Napa Cabbage which is high in fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants and calcium- and you have a highly nutritious salad topped with other anti-parasitic foods like pumpkin seeds and other cancer fighting friends such as pomegranates which contain polyphenols that fight against free radicals in your body. Along with the health benefits- I honestly just love how crunchy, tangy and sweet this salad is when it all comes together.

The best part? Both the Napa cabbage and radicchio came from WinterSpring Farm located in West Bend, Wisconsin!

In case you want to learn more, their website is: https://www.winterspringcsa.com

All of their produce is certified organic, and they are one farm that stands behind their mission to create a symbiotic relationship with the land that meets the needs of the community without compromising their standards. I’ve gotten to know Roxanne who works in herb production and running the farm stand at the Port Washington Winter Market held several Saturdays throughout the winter months. If you are local to the Milwaukee area, I would highly recommend checking out their produce! The quality is amazing and I love knowing that I am reducing my pesticide and herbicide consumption with each purchase I make. FYI Herbicides like Roundup contain something called Glyphosate, a cancer-causing chemical causing several lawsuits with Monsanto as we speak for its carcinogenic properties. The more pesticide/herbicide – free produce we consume, the healthier we are. Washing your produce typically does not remove all pesticide contamination as some is absorbed through the skin of fruit and vegetables, so your best bet is to eat organic or home-grown food!

Onto the recipe!

Ingredients for Salad:

• 1 head of Napa cabbage, roughly chopped
• 1 large Honeycrisp apple finely chopped
• 1 head of radicchio, roughly chopped
• 1 cup roughly chopped, roasted, salted pecans
• 8 pitted dates, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 4oz container of goat cheese crumbles
• 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
• salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cup apple cider
• 4 tsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp Stone Ground mustard
• 1 tsp sage
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions for Salad & Dressing:

1. Wash & chop all ingredients.
2. In a bowl, put down your chopped Napa cabbage and radicchio, then on top of that layer the pomegranate seeds, diced apple, and chopped dates.
3. To the very top of your salad- add the goat cheese crumbles, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and salted pecans. Ensure all ingredients are evenly spread out over the bottom layers of cabbage and radicchio. Combine together all parts of the salad dressing, stirring until combined. You can also put all ingredients inside of a jar, put the lid on top and shake it. That’s what I do whenever making a dressing for easy storage.
4. Prior to serving, top salad with dressing. If you plan to meal prep this salad or make it ahead of time, do not dress the salad until you’re ready to serve/eat it.
5. Enjoy!

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30060078

Radicchio: The Vitamin K Vegetable that Supports the Heart & Bones (And Kills a Common Parasite!)

https://www.nutritionink.com/single-post/7-health-benefits-of-napa-cabbage-by-dietetic-intern-sooyeon-kim