Caramelized Cabbage

Found via Reddit, originally from Bon Appetit. Cooked cabbage is very underrated; I like it a lot and this looks extremely good. "Double-concentrated tomato paste" is kind of weird but it does exist. Another side note: I am learning to really really love my cast iron skillets. I didn't believe the hype about them and figured my usual steel frypans were just as good, but their ability to retain heat when something is placed in them makes a serious difference. Main lesson on them is to pre-heat them really well, just like you do with an oven.

Ingredients

1/4 cup double-concentrated tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, finely grated
1-1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 medium head of green or savoy cabbage (about 2 lb. total)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
3 Tbsp. chopped dill, parsley, or cilantro
Full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream (for serving)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Mix tomato paste, garlic, coriander, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.

2. Cut cabbage in half through core. Cut each half through core into 4 wedges.

3. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Working in batches if needed, add cabbage to pan cut side down and season with salt. Cook, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer cabbage to a plate.

4. Pour remaining 1/4 cup oil into skillet. Add spiced tomato paste and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until tomato paste begins to split and slightly darken, 2–3 minutes. Pour in enough water to come halfway up sides of pan (about 1-1/2 cups), season with salt, and bring to a simmer. Nestle cabbage wedges back into skillet (they should have shrunk while browning; a bit of overlap is okay). Transfer cabbage to oven and bake, uncovered and turning wedges halfway through, until very tender, liquid is mostly evaporated, and cabbage is caramelized around the edges, 40–50 minutes.

5. Scatter dill over cabbage. Serve with yogurt alongside.