Fuji Apple, Celery, and Cabbage Slaw

One day recently at my farmers’ market, an Asian vendor, a German woman, and I found ourselves  together in a three-way conversation about celery tops. The German woman had previously asked the vendor to please don’t cut off the tops of your celery; “they’re good for soups and seasoning,” she said. The vendor had accommodated and her celery stalks sported beautiful leaves at the top of each rib. I bought a stalk, cut the tops off, and  displayed them in a glass vase with a little water in the bottom. It was October, and the Fuji apple tree in the backyard was heavy laden. When the celery tops were beginning to droop, I brought them to the kitchen and put them together with the Fujis and some cabbage in a variation on the theme of cabbage slaw, here with the celery and apple playing prominent roles. Simply dressed with just lemon and white  balsamic vinegar, no oil or mayo, it’s a refreshing side/condiment for pork, chicken, and fish dishes. It also works well to accompany sausages, or a warm bowl of steamed rice,  or to set in the center of a late harvest picnic table.

Makes 6 to 7 cups slaw

1 cup thinly sliced celery leaves and rib tops

2 1/2 cups thinly shredded green cabbage

3 medium Fuji or other crisp sweet/tart apples, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

1 1/2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/ 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, toss to mix, and set aside at room temperature to wilt a bit, an hour or so. Or, refrigerate up to overnight and serve chilled.

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