Definition

Noun 1. A variety of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda): A type of cabbage characterized by its large, round head of crinkled, ruffled, and deeply veined leaves that are tender and less dense than common green cabbage. 2. The edible head of this plant: The culinary vegetable itself, consisting of the tightly packed, soft, crinkly leaves.

Usage Examples

• As a type of vegetable:
  • For the soup, I prefer using savoy cabbage because its leaves are more delicate.
  • The outer leaves of the savoy cabbage are perfect for making stuffed cabbage rolls.
• Referring to the head:
  • She bought a beautiful, large savoy cabbage at the farmers' market.
  • One savoy cabbage is enough to make a big pot of coleslaw.

Advanced Usage

• Culinary distinction: The term is used to specifically distinguish this crinkly-leafed variety from the smoother, harder varieties like green, white, or red cabbage. Its texture makes it particularly suitable for recipes where the leaves need to be separated or wrapped.
  • The recipe explicitly calls for savoy cabbage, not regular cabbage, due to its pliable leaves.

Variants and Related Words

• Savoy (noun): A common shortened, informal name for this cabbage variety.
  • Could you pick up a savoy for dinner?
• Cabbage (noun): The general term for plants in the species, under which savoy cabbage is a specific cultivar.

Synonyms

• Crinkly cabbage: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its defining physical characteristic.
• Curly cabbage: Another descriptive synonym highlighting the leaf texture.

Noun

1. head of soft crinkly leaves
2. cabbage plant with a compact head of crinkled leaves