Sarmale (Stuffed Cabbage or Vine Leaves) Recipe
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Sarmale (Stuffed Cabbage or Vine Leaves)

By: RodicaG 
"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! If you cannot find parsley root, you may substitute parsnip or turnip."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.0 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (7)

Prep Time:
1 Hr
Cook Time:
45 Min
Ready In:
1 Hr 45 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 5 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups long grain rice, rinsed
  • 2 pounds pork loin roast, finely diced
  • 1 pound carrots, chopped
  • 1 pound onions, chopped
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seed oil
  • 6 ounces parsley roots, chopped
  • 1 medium head cabbage

Directions

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

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 804 | Total Fat: 17.3g | Cholesterol: 57mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 21, 2005 by thonia7   view full review
Great recipe! This recipe goes great served with sour cream. As a variation and for added...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 24, 2005 by WENDIGOWILD   view full review
Good Sarmale recipe, I use vegeta when parlsey root is unavailable.
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2006 by David   view full review
Great Romanian recipie. Top it with sour cream while on your plate.
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 22, 2008 by smartcookie Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
I love the idea of this and followed the recipe exactly. To me, I wanted more taste to it--I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 3, 2010 by sage12177 Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
3 of 5 because 3 1/4 cups of rice cooks up to an enormous amount. Also, it was a bit bland...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2011 by justsparkle   view full review
Place the head of cabbage in a large pot over high heat and add water to cover. Boil cabbage...
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 4.0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 9, 2010 by keatescarn   view full review
I was advised to use parsley instead of parsley root. DONT DO THIS. the taste is to strong. it...

 

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