A cabbage once got the job of representing my head.
A grisly tale this.
In 1971 I played the foolish, arrogant, headstrong Earl of Essex in Elizabeth R opposite a formidable Glenda Jackson as Elizabeth.
The young jackanapes got it into his head to start a rebellion against the Virgin Queen.
He’d been her favorite for years and had been forgiven much–but this she couldn’t ignore. He found himself on Tower Green and a rendezvous with the headsman.
The powers that be at BBC Television Centre decided the most realistic way to replicate the sound of a head being chopped off was to lop a cabbage in half!
I have only recently been able to eat them without getting nervous!
Here the abused cabbage is restored to its proper place–on the table.
Not as spectacular, but last night we found ourselves forking a little more and then a little more onto our plates–until there was none!
for 2
1 small cabbage–halved vertically and sliced finely
1 clove of garlic–sliced finely
1 small onion–chopped small
10 juniper berries–crushed
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
a splash of water
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- When hot, sauté the garlic until it starts to color.
- Add the onion and stir fry until the onion catches up with the garlic.
- Add the cabbage and the juniper berries and turn all together thoroughly in the garlic, onion and oil mix.
- Cover the pan, lower the heat and cook for a further ten minutes to soften the cabbage.
- Add a splash of water if the cabbage starts to catch (stick to the pan)
- Be generous with the pepper and sprinkle some salt over.
Robin Ellis 
Oooh. This sounds marvellous! I am going to keep this recipe in my archives for next week. I am most fortunate in that there is a lovely spice shop near here which carries juniper berries. Thanks
Love the story and glad to see the cabbage restored to it’s proper place.
I’m going to use this tomorrow! I bought cabbage and juniper berries today without any clear idea of what I was going to do with them. Now I know. I may well repeat it on Christmas Eve, as cabbage is a must in Poland for “Wigilia.”
It was a red cabbage, but juniper berries certainly enhanced it (red cabbage probably needs heating a little longer). The sound of the cabbage being halved for some reason conjoured up images of Tower Green…
I will add juniper berries to my recipe next time, thanks for the tip. But I will forever think of you having your head removed when dismembering the cabbage! 🙂
Lovely! I am a fan of brassicas and must give this a go.
Didn’t know you were in Elizabeth R – worth another screening methinks! I shall also have an image in my mind of the Tower when I next chop a cabbage 🙂
I STILL can’t believe Elizabeth left him in the bell tower!! Glad it was just a cabbage, Robin! Btw, did you ever listen to the sound of celery when you snap it/wring it very quickly? I think the BBC would appreciate that sound effect, too, especially at Halloween! 😉
Mmmmm …. cabbage my favorite vegetable of them all….. A little pacetta added to this would make a meal … I need a bit of protein!
Hilarious Robin! I needed that laugh! Now every time I cut a cabbage in half I will think about your head being decapitated! I remember you in that fine program.
I would really like to try this recipe. I bought juniper berries but I could only fine dried ones. Should I soak them and then drain and crush them? Thank you. I enjoy your blog very much.
I reckon they will be effective if you crush them well before adding them.