The cabbage in this light, bright-colored, fibre-rich salad is pressed in the traditional Japanese manner. It is a perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded red cabbage
2 tsps Clearspring Umeboshi Purée
1 tsp Clearspring apple vinegar
1 1/2 cups corn kernels
Pinch Clearspring Traditional Sea Salt
5 cups finely chopped kale
1 cup julienne-cut carrots
1 cup red radishes, cut into thin half moons
1 cup julienne-cut daikon 3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tbsps lemon juice
Vegetable salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:

1. Press the cabbage with the umeboshi paste and vinegar for 1 hour.
2. While the cabbage is pressing, fill a 4-quart pot halfway with water and bring to the boil. Add the corn and quickly blanch for a minute or two. Remove the corn with a slotted spoon and place in a large salad bowl.
3. Add a pinch of salt to the same water, then add the kale and blanch for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and spread on a tray to cool.
4. Add the cooled kale to the corn, along with the carrots, radishes, daikon, pressed cabbage, olive oil, and lemon juice. Toss the ingredients, add salt and pepper, and toss again before serving.

Variations:

- Add 1 teaspoon minced garlic, or 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
- Add 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Add sauerkraut or slivers of dill pickle.

Recipe taken from Greens and Grains on the Deep Blue Sea Cookbook, courtesy of Sandy Pukel and Mark Hanna