Alcenia's has chow-chow in Memphis

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 02:54

Healthy Soul Choice. Cabbage doesn't have the sex appeal of other vegetables, but serving for serving is a culinary supermodel jam-packed with more vitamin C than an orange, fiber for regularity and even iodine. African-American chefs feel compelled to give this standby all the accoutrements to bring out the flavor and the nutrition. Cabbage is one of the markers that sets apart the best soul food. When it is lightly cooked, seasoned with flair but not too much salt and one can have confidence in the entire menu. When cabbage has crunch, it keeps everything moving.

Delicacies of the Day. Brooklyn's The Five Spot, 459 Myrtle Ave. offers smoked turkey white meat to season its cabbage. Choose it with a Down Under Black Tiger shrimp platter.

At Houston's This Is It, 2712 Blodgett St., the 50 year-old restaurant keeps cabbage on the menu everyday alongside oxtails and smothered pork chops.

Alcenia's, 317 N. Main St. in Memphis, offers "Cha-Cha", the cabbage-based relish with a variety of vegetables along with home-made apricot, peach, pear and fig preserves.

Favorite Farmer: Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm.

Cookbook of the Day. Alcenia's Healing the Soul by Betty Joyce Chester-Tamayo