Ensalada de Repollo y Piña: Colombian Pineapple Coleslaw
Ensalada de Repollo y Piña (Colombian Pineapple Coleslaw) is a fabulously fresh, sweet, and crunchy side dish in Latin American gastronomy. It perfectly cuts through the richness of heavy roasted meats or holiday hams. Combining dual-colored cabbages with caramelized pineapple, it is a quintessential dish at Colombian celebrations.
The secret to this salad lies in cooking the diced pineapple in its own juices with sugar until the liquid evaporates, concentrating its flavors. Mixed with shredded cabbage, seedless raisins, and bound together by a velvety touch of crema de leche, this 30-minute recipe provides an irresistible crunch!
Ensalada de Repollo y Piña (Pineapple Coleslaw)
A fresh and crunchy Colombian classic! Shredded white and red cabbage tossed with caramelized pineapple, raisins, and a creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- ½ White cabbage repollo blanco
- ½ Purple/Red cabbage repollo morado
- 1 Medium pineapple approx. 1 lb (piña)
- ½ cup Table cream or Heavy cream crema de leche
- Sugar to taste
- Seedless raisins uvas pasas to taste
- Optional: A pinch of salt to balance the sweetness
Instructions
- Prep the vegetables: Thoroughly wash the cabbages and the pineapple. Finely shred or chop both the white and purple cabbages into thin strips. Set them aside in a large salad bowl.
- Dice the pineapple: Peel the pineapple, remove the hard core, and dice the fruit into small, bite-sized squares.
- Caramelize the fruit: Place the diced pineapple in a saucepan over medium heat along with sugar to taste. Let it cook gently in its own natural juices. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the juices have almost completely evaporated and the pineapple is tender and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Mix the salad: Add the cooked pineapple to the large bowl with the shredded cabbages. Pour in the 1/2 cup of crema de leche and add the seedless raisins to your liking. Chef's tip: Add a tiny pinch of salt here to perfectly balance the sweet and savory profiles.
- Toss and serve: Mix everything thoroughly so the cream beautifully coats the cabbage and fruit. Serve fresh, ideally slightly chilled!
Video
Notes
- Antioxidant Powerhouse: Pineapple is an excellent natural antioxidant due to being an incredibly rich source of Vitamin C.
- Mineral Rich: Beyond vitamins, pineapple provides the body with essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and iodine.
- Skin Benefits: The specific type of hydration and the enzymes (like bromelain) obtained from consuming fresh pineapple are known to help keep the skin looking elastic, bright, and healthy.
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