Cabbage and Noodles (Káposztás Tészta)

Описание: This is simple but delicious comfort food made with just a few ingredients. Earlier it was the poor man's food as cabbage and pasta has always been available, but it's still a favorite dish in Hungarian households. We usually eat this as a main course, but it's also a great side dish for roast duck.
The key thing to make this food right is to caramelize the cabbage slowly until it's sweet, soft and dark brown. (it's not a problem - or even better if it over-browns in a few places)
There are two way to eat this: seasoned with salt and lots of black pepper, or with confectioners sugar sprinkled over. (I prefer the first one :D)

Ingredients (for 4-6)

2 lb (900 grams) cabbage (outer leaves removed)
1 lb (450 grams) dry noodles (square shaped)
1 tbsp salt
4 tbsp vegetable oil
2-3 tbsp sugar
freshly ground black pepper
Optional:
Confectioners sugar for serving

1. Cut the cabbage head into quarters, leaving the core in. (it'll help to hold the cabbage leaves together while grating)
2. Grate the cabbage with a grater or you can use a chopper /in that case, remove the core and chop the cabbage into pieces/
3. Sprinkle the grated cabbage with salt, mix with your hands and set aside for 25-30 minutes until it releases its juices.
4. Squeeze the water from the grated cabbage and reserve the juice for later use.
5. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the sugar, stir it well then caramelize it on medium-low heat
6. When the sugar is nicely browned add the cabbage into the pan and stir them together. Pour in a little from the reserved juice then mix well.
7. (Don't panic if you see the caramelized sugar becomes solid again from the cold cabbage- it'll dissolve during cooking)
8. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for about 30 minutes – don't forget to stir it sometimes!
9. Meanwhile cook your noodles in boiling salter water according to your packet instruction.
10. Drain it in a colander then wash it under cold running water. Let it drain.
11. Remove the lid from the pan and continue to cook the cabbage until all the liquid has evaporated, and the cabbage is soft and dark brown. Season it with lots of freshly ground black pepper.
12. Now, add the cooked noodles and gently stir them together (while the pan is still on low heat). Mix until the cabbage and the noodles are well combined.
13. It's ready! Serve it with more ground black pepper, or if you have sweet teeth sprinkle some confectioners sugar on top.
14. ENJOY!

/The music is based on a Hungarian folk song, played and made by my husband, MrStick© 2018 - (all rights reserved)/