Slice the cabbage thinly (removing any heavy stalk) and chop into small pieces. Place in a pan of boiling, salted water. Meanwhile boil a kettle of water. After 5 minutes, drain off the water from the pan and replace with boiling water from the kettle. Add salt and cook for a further 5-6 minutes.
Drain well in a colander then add several small pats of butter and plenty of freshly-ground pepper. Serve immediately.