Maria's ​Coleslaw

gluten free
I never liked coleslaw until I made this version.  Maria, my husband's grandmother, made this coleslaw.  Sometimes I add a little sugar (1 or 2 teaspoons, if it's too tart.  The addition of apples is fantastic.
Picture
Ingredients
1 head cabbage, shredded
2/3 cup raisins
1 cup sunflower seeds or unsalted peanuts (no skins)
3 tbsp mayonnaise - more to taste & texture

(You can leave out the mayo and add apple cider vinegar and a bit of honey or sugar - just add until you think you have the right consistency.  OR I usually substitute plain unsweetened Greek yogurt for the mayo.)
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
1 & 1/2 tsp sugar
juice of 2 lemons or 1 lemon & 1 tbsp vinegar
dash paprika

OPTIONAL:  2 Granny Smith apples (chopped fine); 2 carrots (shredded or matchstick chopped)
AND

2 tablespoons of caraway seeds
Sometimes I add peanuts and raisins - call me crazy!
Steps
  1. After shredding cabbage, mash and squeeze it with your hands to bruise and soften it.  (This makes it soooo much easier to digest. It's a tried and true trick from my husband's grandmother.)
  2. Pour off any juice that may come from the cabbage.
  3. Put cabbage in bowl and add raisins, sunflower seeds, and chopped apples.  Stir together gently.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise or yogurt, seasonings, sugar, and lemon juice.
  5. Pour mayonnaise or yogurt mixture onto cabbage mixture and mix well with your clean hands.  (You can adjust the mayonnaise as needed.)
  6. Chill for 3 hours or overnight before serving.