Weird Recipe Wednesday: Fruity Red Cabbage Smoothie

Weird Recipe Wednesday: Because some recipes are so weird I just HAVE to try them.  My curiosity always gets the better of me.

Red cabbage in a smoothie? How is the texture going to work on this one? Since I have leftover cabbage from this slaw, I decided it was the perfect time to satisfy my curiosity about this sneaky smoothie.

I wasn't expecting too much. Swallowing chunks of tough cabbage came to mind, but I proceeded anyway in the spirit of weird experimentation.  Boy was I ever wrong on this one! I just love it when something weird totally works.

You would never guess there's cabbage in this citrusy smoothie.  The texture and flavor disappear, leaving behind only vibrant purple pigments.  These deep purple pigments, called anthocyanins, are our visual cue to the health benefits wrapped inside this cruciferous vegetable.  The vibrant purple aspect doesn't come through very well in the pictures, but it was pretty bright from my side of the screen.

Red cabbage, frozen strawberries and orange juice are whirled together until icy-smooth.  Tart lime and fresh ginger add an extra kick, making those fruity flavors pop.  If you're trying to sneak in some veggies, this is the perfect place to start.  

Fruity Red Cabbage Smoothie
inspired by Martha Rose Shulman

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen strawberries
3/4 cup shredded red cabbage
3/4 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger

Instructions:
Place strawberries, cabbage, orange juice, lime juice and ginger in a blender and blend until completely smooth.  If necessary, stop blender and scrape down sides for even blending.  Serve immediately.

Food for Thought: "There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away." -Sarah Kay