For such a cheap vegetable, cabbage has a lot going for it. High in fiber, full of glucosinolates (sulpher based compounds with anti-cancer properties), it’s a great help in lowering cholesterol, and it’s also high in antioxidants. This is a great dish for buffets. An easy cole slaw with a creamy sweet and tangy sauce, it works great with Indian food, but also with burgers or hot dogs. No matter what you’re serving it’s a perfect match.
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Date and Cabbage Slaw
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet dates and crunchy cabbage meet tangy tamarind in this refreshing slaw. Perfect as a light side or picnic addition.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 cups (237 ml) plain yogurt
- 1 lbs (454 g) grated cabbage for cole slaw
- 2 tbsp hot water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 and 1/2 tsp tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp packed dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Pit the dates and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the chopped dates into the chopped cabbage and set aside.
- Put 1 1/2 tsp of tamarind paste into a small bowl.
- Mix 2 tbsp of hot water into the tamarind paste and stir into a paste.
- Put the tamarind paste in a bowl. Add the salt, brown sugar, and yogurt.
- Add the yogurt dressing to the cabbage and date mixture.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to chill, then serve.
Notes
- For a sweeter slaw, increase the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons.
- If you don’t have tamarind paste, you can substitute with 1 tablespoon of lime juice and a pinch of allspice.
- Store the slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cabbage is best for this slaw with dates?
Napa cabbage works well because it is tender enough to absorb the dressing without needing a long rest, but green or red cabbage also work if you massage them briefly to soften the texture. 
Can I prep the date and cabbage slaw ahead of time?
You can shred the cabbage and pit the dates in advance, but hold off on dressing it until about 20 minutes before serving. Dressed too far ahead, the cabbage releases water and the slaw becomes watery.
What should I do if my dates are very dry and hard?
Soak them in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften before slicing. This also makes them easier to slice thinly so they distribute evenly through the slaw.
