Swamp Cabbage Stew

Ingredients

• 1 pound thick-cut slab bacon
• 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 1 head green cabbage, chopped OR 1 14-ounce can hearts of palm, drained and cut into 1/4" slices
• 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes, with their juices
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 16-ounce can tomato juice
• 2-3 cup cooked white rice
• 1 16-ounce can tomato sauce

Preparation

1. Heat medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook bacon until crispy, saving back the bacon grease. Set aside bacon on paper towels.
2. Use 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat to sauté the onions and cabbage in a large stock pot until just starting to brown
3. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice, jalapeño, thyme, and sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Simmer 30-40 minutes partially covered.
5. Chop bacon into small pieces.
6. Serve over rice with 1/4 cup bacon crumbled on top of each portion.