little cabbages
Brussels sprouts, named for how they look on the stalk.
Also called Brussels sprouts.
Updated September 24, 2026
little cabbages pronunciation
/LIT-ul CAB-ij-iz/
Meaning
Kitchen and garden talk for Brussels sprouts. They grow like tiny cabbage heads stacked up a tall stem, so the nickname writes itself. Older Southern cooks may never say Brussels sprouts at all. Kids sometimes think they are actual baby cabbages until somebody shows them the stalk at the store.
How folks use it
- “Fry them little cabbages in bacon grease and even the picky ones will eat 'em.”
- “Mama put little cabbages in the garden this year next to the collards.”
Origin and etymology
Folk name from the look of the vegetable. Brussels sprouts are cabbage cousins that form small heads on a stalk, and home cooks have called them little cabbages for generations. Extension agents and Southern food writers still note the nickname. Exact first use is hard to date because it is everyday kitchen talk more than print slang.
Frequently asked questions
Are little cabbages baby regular cabbages?
No. They are Brussels sprouts, a different plant that just looks like miniature cabbages.