Pork And Cabbage: A New Years Tradition

Pork and Cabbage

 

     Not quite sure if it is an Irish thing or an American thing.  I have done some research and in many cultures and countries people eat traditional pork and cabbage for the New Year.  Pork to many cultures represents progress, wealth, and pushing forward.  Because of this it is tradition to eat pork for the first of the year as a sign of luck towards yourself.  Cabbage has been added because it is present and easily obtainable during the winter months.  Because of its traditional green color eating this vegetable is supposed to bring good fortune and money for the coming year.  Whatever it is it has always been tradition in our household to have pork and some sort of cabbage mixture. 

     I have posted a couple times how I dislike cabbage.  I have been getting better at working with it and trying new things to build a taste for it.  This year I simply decided to have my own New Years dinner.  I usually go to my parents, however I received a crockpot for Christmas so decided to put it to use.  So here goes: Crockpot Pork and Cabbage.

Ingredients:

• .75-1 lb pork tenderloin
• 1/2 can soda
• 2 tbs Worcestershire
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tbs soy sauce
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 1 tbs black pepper
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 apple peeled and sliced

     In a crockpot place your pork tenderloin.  In a separate bowl mix brown sugar, soda, Worcestershire, garlic, soy, cayenne, and black pepper.  Pour over the pork.  Place a lid on the crockpot and turn it on high.  Cook for 2 1/2 hours.  Turn knob down to low and let cook for another 2 1/2 hours.  Toss in cabbage and apple slices.  Cook for another hour.  Serve with wild rice, potatoes, etc.  This pork was so tender that I couldn't even slice it, it fell apart.  The cabbage with the apples and the flavoring from the soda and other additives was fantastic.  Serves 1-2.