Why do recipes for cabbage call for one small or 1/2 large, etc...?

The cabbage I got this weekend (for $2.00!) must have been about 20 pounds! If I followed the recipes that I've looked at, I would have way, way too much cabbage in the recipe. Do the people that write the recipes not know how to put chopped cabbage into measuring cups?Why do recipes for cabbage call for one small or 1/2 large, etc...?
Some recipes are so imprecise!! Try recipes from Cooks Illustrated , they are the antithesis (sp)?of themWhy do recipes for cabbage call for one small or 1/2 large, etc...?
I had some cabbage this year in my garden.


It is amazing how large a head of cabbage can get.


I also discovered that they can stay for about 2 weeks in the fridge.


I froze some I sliced up but haven't had a chance to see how it'll be when i try to use it.


We got a little burnt out on cabbage this summer because it all comes in at one time. A person can only eat so much cabbage before they get tired of it.





I like to serve just steamed cabbage with pork chops or ham and boiled potatoes.


Cole slaw always a winner


I also like to fry up bacon and use the grease to cook the cabbage and serve with cornbread and tomatoes.
The people who write the recipes do NOT measure shredded cabbage as how thin it is shredded makes a difference on how much space it takes up. They would do better to give you a weight but they don't do that either.





The way to figure out how much is by mixing the sauce first, then begin shredding the cabbage and weighing it before you add to the sauce. Keep up with how much weight it takes to get you to the ratio of sauce vs cabbage you like and then use that for future batches.





Once you have an idea for that recipe you can use that as a basic amount for other recipes. Example: If this recipe uses one cup of liquid/sauce and 6 ounces of cabbage then you can work backwards from there for other recipes.





Just for the record, a lot of shredded cabbage goes in the can because of those type's of recipes. Unless of course you want to make spring rolls the next day:)
People ';chop'; foods differently, so there would be variations in what would be ';3 cups of cabbage'; as well. Cooking is not an exact science. If you are familiar with the recipe, chop as much as you think you need. If you are not familiar with the recipe and you think that the cabbage you bought is ';XL';, chop 3/4 of it and hopefully it is a recipe like coleslaw so you can add more if needed.
OK They envision the cooking pot size as you should do.
2 large heads green cabbage, shredded (about 10 cups)





does this help





1/2 large would be 2 1/2 cups


1 small would be probably 3 cups