Melted green cabbage

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

Makes: 4 servings as a first course or 2 as a main course

1⁄3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste

1⁄2 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper, divided, plus more to taste

2 small heads of green cabbage (2 pounds), quartered (but not cored)

10 whole garlic cloves, peeled

4 shallots, peeled and halved

1⁄2 cup dry, acidic white wine, such as Albariño or Grüner Veltliner

1⁄2 cup chicken or vegetable broth, plus more if necessary

4 sprigs fresh thyme

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, or olive oil

1⁄4 cup crème fraiche or sour cream

Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 300 F.

2. In a heavy, large, high-sided skillet or shallow Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon of the pepper directly onto the oil, then arrange the cabbage wedges in the pot, making sure that each is lying on a flat side (you can cram them in; they’ll relax into one another as they release liquid).

3. Let the undersides get nice and brown, resisting the urge to move them too much but checking once to make sure they’re not burning (reduce the heat slightly if they are), 6 to 7 minutes. Using tongs, flip the cabbage wedges, then tuck the garlic cloves and shallots into the pot, and brown the undersides of the cabbage, another 6 to 7 minutes.

4. Add the wine and broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and

1⁄4 teaspoon pepper along with the thyme.

5. Cover with a tightfitting lid, transfer to the oven, and cook until soft, slumped and mahogany brown, 2 hours, or 2 1⁄2 hours for even softer cabbage. Uncover, cool slightly, and serve the cabbage with the liquid accumulated in the pot. Season with salt and pepper and top with butter or olive oil and crème fraîche. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.