Cabbage and Apple Slaw with Double Apple Vinaigrette

Photo by Michael Piazza / Styled by Catrine Kelty

This colorful fall salad combines both juice and vinegar into a sweet-tart dressing that’s bursting with apple flavor. Fresh cider is boiled down into a syrupy caramel, then whisked together with a little garlic, cider vinegar, toasted sesame oil and soy sauce. There is also vegetable oil—be sure to use something neutral in flavor like sunflower or grapeseed. The cider caramel may become jelly-like when completely cool but it will eventually re-liquify when mixed with the vinegar and other ingredients. You’ll need about half of a medium head to yield the 6 cups of thinly sliced cabbage.

Serves 6

1½ cups fresh apple cider
1 clove garlic, finely grated into a pulp on a Microplane
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
6 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
1 large carrot, grated on the large holes of a box grater
1 Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
¼ cup toasted, salted pumpkin seeds

In a small saucepan over high heat bring the apple cider to a boil. Cook until the juice becomes slightly thick and syrupy and has reduced to ¼ cup, about 12–14 minutes. It’s easy to take this too far, so as you near the 12-minute mark, watch closely for the syrupy consistency. Pour the hot liquid into a heat-proof glass measuring cup and set aside. The caramel will thicken as it cools.

In a large bowl big enough to toss the slaw, whisk together the garlic, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, vegetable oil, salt and cooled cider caramel. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Add the cabbage to the bowl along with the grated carrot, apple matchsticks and chopped cilantro. Toss well until everything is nicely coated with the dressing. Garnish with additional cilantro and the toasted pumpkin seeds.

This recipe appeared in the Fall 2021 issue as part of a larger story on Apple Cider: Sweet, Sour or Hard.