Cabbage Thoran

Cabbage Thoran is the heart of Kerala Cuisine. Any Kerala Sadhya is incomplete without Cabbage Thoran. Cabbage Thoran is a stir fry made using cabbage and coconut. You can prepare the thoran using cabbage, or a combination of cabbage and carrot, or even cabbage, carrot and capsicum.

There are so many different ways to prepare a thoran. Some use onions while others use shallots.

Some add garlic and ginger, while others like it plain.

Here is my recipe for Cabbage Thoran.

Ingredients

1. Shredded Cabbage – Half of one medium sized cabbage
2. Sliced Shallots (Kunjulli/Pearl Onions) – 1/2 cup
3. Grated Coconut  – 1 Cup
4. Finely chopped Garlic – 4 or 5 cloves
5. Grated Cumin (Jeera) – 1/4 tsp
6. Slit Green Chillies – 3 or 4
7. Turmeric – A pinch
8. Salt – As Required
9. Oil – 2 tbsp
10. Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
11. Curry Leaves – A sprig

Preparation Method

1. Mix together coconut, turmeric powder, shallots, cumin, garlic and green chillies using hands or you can coarsely grind everything together.
2. Combine the cabbage with some salt.
3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a non stick pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add curry leaves and saute for a minute.
4. Add the shredded cabbage and saute for 2 minutes.
5. Next add the coconut mixture and combine everything together.
6. Cover the pan and cook on low flame, stirring occasionally. Do not add water while cooking cabbage.
7. After 6- 8 mins, the cabbage will be cooked. Remove the lid and stir fry for another 4-5 minutes so that the cabbage is crunchy and not soggy.