RED CABBAGE

Brassica oleracea IN THE VEGIE PATCH Red cabbage label Common name: Red cabbage Botanical name:Brassica oleracea Family: Brassicaceae (cabbage or mustard family) Requires: Full-sun; well-drained soil Dislikes: Weed competition; lack of water Suitable for: Vegie beds Habit: Annual Needs: Friable soil, regular water Propagation: Seed, seedling Difficulty: Easy Red cabbages are part of a group of purple vegetables that promises great health benefits. Red cabbage, eggplant and purple onions, along with more unusual purple forms of carrots, cauliflower and tomato, contain anthocyanin, which is also found in fruit such as cranberries and blueberries. Anthocyanin is an antioxidant linked to cancer prevention. Purple vegetables also contain resveratrol, which can help lower blood pressure. As well as being part of a group of purple vegetables, red cabbages belong to the huge cabbage family (Brassicaceae), also known as brassicas. Cabbages provide vitamin C and lots of fibre, but…