FOOD NEWS
How Ina Garten Turns Cabbage Into An Entertainment Centerpiece
By Heidi Chaya
Festive centerpieces are usually created from decorative flowers and other embellishments that aren't generally intended to be eaten. However, in a November 2022 Instagram post, celebrity chef Ina Garten showcased a clever way to turn the humble and oft-overlooked cabbage into an Insta-worthy entertainment centerpiece.
In the post, Garten exhibited a stunning bouquet of cabbage stalks arranged artfully in a glass vase. The white, purple, and green leaves and stems popped against the backdrop of her white marble countertop and the airy, light colors of her kitchen space.
Cabbage comes from a plant called Brassica oleracea (the same species of plant that broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and kohlrabi come from), which has been selectively bred for decades to achieve specific qualities. In cabbage, that quality is the big, bunchy, hardy leaves that are as beautiful as flower petals.
You can recreate Garten’s masterpiece with cabbage stalks from the farmer's market or ornamental brassicas from garden stores, but the latter may taste bitter compared to their culinary counterparts. To follow Garten's suit, follow up the centerpiece with seasonal brassica dishes and try experimenting with different "edimentals."