Sarmale (Stuffed Cabbage or Vine Leaves)

Cabbage is stuffed with rice, pork and vegetables in these classic cabbage rolls. This recipe is a very traditional Moldovan recipe. My mother and my grandmother used to cook it at almost every Moldovan holy day and sometimes on a casual day. I love it!

• Preparation Time: 60 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 917 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 pound carrots, chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• 1 medium head cabbage
• ¼ cup sunflower seed oil
• 3 ¼ cups long grain rice, rinsed
• 2 pounds pork loin roast, finely diced
• 1 pound onions, chopped
• 6 ounces parsley roots, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place rice in a medium bowl, and pour boiling water over it. Let soak for 15 minutes, then drain.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, parsley roots, onions and tomato paste. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the rice.

Step 3

Heat 2 more tablespoons of oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork, and cook for about 2 minutes, just until browned on the outside. Transfer to the bowl with the rice and vegetables; season with dill and black pepper. Stir until everything is well blended. Set the mixture aside to cool.

Step 4

Carefully remove the leaves from the head of cabbage, and place them in a large pot with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until tender and flexible.

Step 5

Remove the cabbage leaves from the pot, but leave enough in the bottom to cover. On each of the remaining leaves, place about 2 tablespoons of the pork and rice mixture in the center, and wrap the leaf around to cover. Place the stuffed cabbage leaves into the pot.

Step 6

When the pot is full, place a few boiled cabbage leaves over the top. Pour boiling water into the pot to cover the cabbage rolls, and place over medium-low heat. Cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the rice is tender.