Coleslaw
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coleslaw (or cole slaw) is a salad consisting primarily and minimally of shredded, raw, white cabbage, although it often also includes shredded carrots. There are many variations of the recipe which include the addition of other ingredients, such as red cabbage, pineapple, or apple. It is usually mixed with a dressing which traditionally consists of or is based on vegetable oil and vinegar or a vinaigrette. Most modern coleslaw contains mayonnaise or its substitutes, although many regional variations exist, and recipes incorporating prepared mustard. A variety of seasonings may be added. The dressing is allowed to settle on the blended ingredients usually for several hours before being served. The cabbage may come in finely-minced pieces, shredded strips, or small squares.
Coleslaw is generally used as a side dish eaten with foods such as barbecue, fish and chips, and other fried foods, notably fried catfish in the southern U.S. Also in this region, it is common as a sandwich ingredient, often placed on barbecue sandwiches, and on hamburgers and hot dogs along with chili and hot mustard. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in the Reuben sandwich. A variant with vinegar and oil is almost always served with pizza in Sweden.
[edit] History
Coleslaw was probably consumed in its earliest form in the times of the ancient Romans. However, modern coleslaw could not have arisen until the 18th century as mayonnaise was not yet invented. The term "cole slaw" arose in the 18th century as a partial translation from the Dutch term "koolsla", a shortening of "koolsalade", which means "cabbage salad". It was commonly called cold slaw in England until the 1860s when "cole" meaning cabbage was revived. "Cole" originates from the Latin colis meaning "cabbage", and is the origin of the Dutch word as well. In addition to calling it "coleslaw," U.S. Southerners also refer to it as "slaw." Because of this the two syllables and the establishment of "slaw" as its own word, various other kinds of "slaw" are now known, such as broccoli slaw.
