Coleslaw or cole slaw (from the Dutch term koolsla [ˈkoːlslaː] , meaning 'cabbage salad'), also known simply as slaw, is a side dish consisting primarily of finely shredded raw cabbage[2] with a salad dressing or condiment, commonly either vinaigrette or mayonnaise. This dish originated in the Netherlands in the 18th century. Coleslaw prepared with vinaigrette may benefit from the long lifespan granted by pickling.[3]
 Coleslaw made with mayonnaise | |
| Alternative names | Slaw |
|---|---|
| Type | Salad |
| Course | Side dish, condiment |
| Place of origin | Netherlands[1] |
| Main ingredients | Fine shredded raw cabbage; vinaigrette (acetic acid (vinegar essence) or vinegar, vegetable oil, salt) or mayonnaise and salad cream |
Coleslaw has evolved into various forms globally. The only consistent ingredient in coleslaw is raw cabbage, while other ingredients and dressings vary widely. Some popular variations include adding red cabbage, pepper, shredded carrots, onions, grated cheese, pineapple, pears,[4] or apples, and using salad dressings like mayonnaise or cream.
History
edit
The term "coleslaw" arose in the 18th century as an anglicisation of the Dutch term koolsla ("kool" in Dutch sounds like "cole") meaning "cabbage salad".[5][6] The "cole" part of the word ultimately derives from the Latin caulis, meaning cabbage.[7]
The 1770 Dutch cookbook The Sensible Cook (Dutch: De Verstandige Kock) contains a recipe attributed to the author's Dutch landlady, who mixed thin strips of cabbage with melted butter, vinegar, and oil. The most commonly prepared recipe for coleslaw is a recent innovation, owing to the invention of mayonnaise during the mid-18th century.
According to The Joy of Cooking (1997), raw cabbage is the only entirely consistent ingredient in coleslaw; the type of cabbage, dressing, and added ingredients vary widely. Vinaigrette, mayonnaise, and sour cream-based dressings are all listed; bacon, carrots, bell peppers, pineapple, pickles, onions, and herbs are mentioned explicitly as possible added ingredients.[6]
Variations and similar dishes
editThis section possibly contains original research. (August 2022) |
There are many variations of the recipe, which include the addition of other ingredients such as red cabbage, pepper, shredded carrots, onion, grated cheese, pineapple, or apple, mixed with a salad dressing such as mayonnaise or cream. Various seasonings, such as celery seed, may be added. The cabbage may come in finely minced pieces, shredded strips, or small squares. Other slaw variants include broccoli slaw, which uses shredded raw broccoli instead of cabbage. Cream, sour cream, or buttermilk are also popular additions. Buttermilk coleslaw is most commonly found in the southern United States.[citation needed]
Europe
editTraditional German Krautsalat Kohl is the German word for cabbage. Schlagen is the German verb "to beat." Kohlschlage is literally, "beaten cabbage." (cabbage salad) consists of finely shredded cabbage marinated with oil and vinegar.[citation needed] Sometimes onions or apples are added.[citation needed]
Coleslaw with cooked ham and sliced pepper (julienne cut) in Italy is called insalata capricciosa (capricious salad).[citation needed]
In Poland, cabbage-based salads resembling coleslaw are commonly served as a side dish with the second course at dinner, next to meat and potatoes. There is no fixed recipe, but typical ingredients include shredded white cabbage (red and Chinese cabbage are also common), finely chopped onions, shredded carrots, and parsley or dill leaves, with many possible additions. These are seasoned with salt, black pepper and a pinch of sugar and tossed with a dash of oil (typically sunflower or rapeseed) and vinegar, while mayonnaise-based dressings are uncommon. An alternative, usually served with fried fish, is made with sauerkraut, squeezed to eliminate excess salty brine and similarly tossed with carrots, onions, black pepper, sugar and oil. Any simple salad of that kind, i.e. one made with shredded raw vegetables, is known as a surówka (Polish: surowy 'raw'). If cabbage is the base ingredient, it is called a surówka z (kiszonej) kapusty, or a "(soured) cabbage salad". The English name "coleslaw" is mainly associated with the mayonnaise-dressed cabbage. It is often written as "colesław" or "kolesław" (pronounced [kɔˈlɛswaf]), because of the similarity to many names ending with "-sław" (e.g. Bolesław).[citation needed]
In Eastern Slavic cultures (Russia, Ukraine and Belarus), a salad of fresh shredded cabbage mixed with carrots, apples, cranberries etc., is traditionally dressed with unrefined sunflower oil.[8] The cabbage can be marinated before with vinegar producing cabbage provençal (Russian: капуста провансаль, romanized: kapusta provansal).[9] A similar salad is also made of sauerkraut.[8]
In Sweden, a particular type of cabbage salad made with a seasoned vinaigrette is typically served with pizza and known as pizzasallad (pizza salad).[10] When other vegetables are added, the recipe may be called råkostsallad (raw-food salad) or veckosallad (week salad), noting its long fridge-life.[11] The term coleslaw (Swedish: coleslaw, or Swedish: kålsallad) is reserved for cabbage salad with mayonnaise-based dressing and is typically seen as American cuisine.
In the United Kingdom, coleslaw often contains carrot and onion in addition to cabbage and is usually made with mayonnaise or salad cream. Some variations include grated cheese such as cheddar, nuts such as walnuts and dried fruits such as sultanas or raisins.
Americas
editIn the United States, coleslaw often contains buttermilk, mayonnaise or substitutes, and carrot. However, many regional variations exist, and recipes incorporating prepared mustard or vinegar without the dairy and mayonnaise are also common. Barbecue slaw, also known as red slaw, is made using ketchup and vinegar rather than mayonnaise.[12] It is frequently served alongside North Carolina barbecue, including Lexington style barbecue, where, unlike in the rest of the state, a red slaw is the prevailing variety.[13]
Hot slaw, which is flavored with jalapeño chilies and mustard, was named the first official state food of Tennessee in 2024.[14]
Middle East
editIn Israel, a common coleslaw type consists of red cabbage and mayonnaise. It often includes salt, pepper, and lemon juice. The salad is often served as a topping option at food stands. It is also mass-produced and purchased in stores.[citation needed]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Engelhardt, Elizabeth (2009). Republic of barbecue : stories beyond the brisket. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-292-71998-9.
- ^ "Coleslaw – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "Pickled Cabbage Salad".
- ^ "Smart Coleslaw with Pears, Walnuts and Cranberries". California Walnuts. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
- ^ Perelman, Deb (2007-08-08). "Coleslaw: You Could Be a Star". NPR. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ a b Rombauer, Irma S.; Becker, Marion Rombauer; Becker, Ethan (1997). Joy of Cooking. New York: Scribner. pp. [1]. ISBN 0-684-81870-1.
- ^ Phillips, Denise (2012-04-24). New Flavours of the Jewish Table. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4481-4657-4.
- ^ a b Vatrooshkin, Peter (2012). Easier Than a Steamed Turnip: Simple and Delicious Meatless Russian Recipes. Plutagora LLC. pp. 21–22, 27, 28. ISBN 978-1-938407-01-7.
- ^ Grigorieva, Alexandra (2010). Hosking, Richard (ed.). "Russian Food Words at Home and Abroad". Food and Language: Proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cooking 2009. Oxford Symposium: 149. ISBN 978-1-903018-79-8.
- ^ "Pizzasallad".
- ^ Hallén Buitenhuis, Anna; Anderson, Helena (1 December 2022). ACT ALP livsstil : Kunskap & kokbok för dig med den envisa kroppen [ACT ALP Lifestyle: Knowledge and Cookbook for those with a stubborn body] (in Swedish). Västra Frölunda: Tukan förlag. p. 98. ISBN 978-91-8037-619-8.
- ^ "Lexington Red Slaw". ABC7 Chicago. 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Mercuri, Becky (2007-03-05). The Great American Hot Dog Book: Recipes and Side Dishes from Across America. Gibbs Smith. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-4236-0022-0. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ Cochrane, Emily; Melton, Audra (2024-05-18). "This Is Hot Slaw. And Cleveland, Tenn., Wants You to Love It, Too". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
External links
edit
The dictionary definition of coleslaw at Wiktionary
