This simple recipe for Macedonian Cabbage Rolls (Sarma) is hearty, flavorful, and vegan! You’ll love the savory rice filling filled with herbs and spices in tender cabbage leaves.
A Conventional Vegan Cabbage Roll Recipe
Home made cabbage rolls are a particular meal, one that basically says, “I really like you!”. No, I’m not exaggerating right here – the effort and time that it takes to create these little bundles of goodness is a labor of affection! However, like many cooking initiatives, it’s additionally enjoyable, and fairly simple. For those who’re able to attempt your hand at conventional selfmade cabbage rolls, this recipe is for you!
You’ll discover that this recipe is a meatless model – in reality, it’s vegan! There aren’t any animal merchandise of any form on this recipe, in all probability as a result of it was developed at a time and in a spot the place fasting from all animal merchandise was the norm throughout Lent. At the moment, vegan dishes are extremely in style it doesn’t matter what time of yr it’s – and once they’re this tasty, it’s simple to see why.
That is additionally a much less tomato-oriented cabbage roll. There is no such thing as a tomato sauce, crushed tomato, or strained tomato on this recipe – only a little bit of tomato paste and a few contemporary chopped tomatoes so as to add tanginess to the rice filling. Garlic, paprika, lemon pepper, olive oil, and herbs deliver tons of taste although!
And! A walnut tucked in every roll provides a singular contact to this old style dish. You’ll be able to skip the walnut, however don’t. It provides taste and a smooth crunch.
What Nation Is Sarma From?
It may be simpler to ask what nation sarma is not from! These cabbage (and typically grape leaf) rolls are conventional meals within the Balkans, Central Europe, the Center East, and the South Caucasus. That’s plenty of cabbage! 🥬
However, it’s no shock this dish is beloved throughout cultures and nations. This recipe is a Macedonian model, with a number of paprika and never an excessive amount of tomato, and genuine Macedonian Sarma is ready with fermented cabbage leaves, nevertheless it’s not a should.
The Substances You’ll Want
Whereas meat-filled cabbage rolls usually use floor meat reminiscent of beef, pork, lamb, or veal, this model is crammed with veggies, seasonings, and rice. It’s a comforting, carb-y dish that’s assured to fill you up.
For the Cabbage Leaves
For the Filling
- Oil: Olive oil is my go-to for this recipe, however you would substitute one other sort of oil as desired. Butter, ghee, and bacon grease would additionally work (needless to say animal fat would make this a meatless recipe somewhat than strictly vegan).
- Onions: The onions ought to be finely diced.
- Garlic: You wish to use a beneficiant quantity of contemporary garlic, minced or pressed by means of a garlic press.
- Parsley: Like paprika, parsley is a must have ingredient in Macedonian cooking.
- Tomatoes: Take two contemporary tomatoes, and chop them finely.
- Tomato Paste: A small quantity of tomato paste provides depth to the cabbage roll filling.
- Paprika: You’ll need candy paprika right here, not smoked or scorching paprika.
- Salt and Pepper
- Dried Herbs: Oregano and thyme deliver a pungent, natural perfume.
- Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper seasoning makes the rice filling irresistible!
- Rice: Use your favourite long-grain white rice.
- Walnuts: The ultimate contact to the cabbage rolls is to incorporate a halved walnut in each.
For the Sauce
- Oil: A bit of extra oil for sauteing.
- Garlic: Mince the garlic, or press it.
- Paprika: Once more, candy paprika, somewhat than smoked or scorching paprika.
- Water: The water ought to be scorching earlier than including it to the opposite elements.
Let’s Make Some Cabbage Rolls!
Okay, now that we’ve lined the elements, let’s discuss concerning the cooking course of. Making any kind of cabbage roll can take a while, so be sure you put aside sufficient time to prepare dinner the cabbage, make the filling and the rolls, and bake.
- Prep the Oven, Baking Dish, and Cabbage. To start, set your oven to preheat to 350˚F. Subsequent, get out a big baking dish (9×13) or a braiser, and grease it evenly. Set it apart. If utilizing a head of contemporary cabbage, warmth a big pot of salted water over excessive warmth. As soon as it involves a boil, add the cabbage leaves, and prepare dinner them for about 4 minutes. As soon as they’re pliable, drain them and set them apart. DO not prepare dinner for too lengthy or they’ll simply get mushy. Because of this I LOVE utilizing the pickled cabbage leaves – you don’t must stress about cooking the leaves as a result of they’re already pliable.
- Make the Filling Combination. Subsequent, warmth up a beneficiant quantity of oil in a big skillet. Saute the onions for a few minutes, after which stir within the garlic and the parsley. Prepare dinner for about 30 seconds, to launch the perfume, after which add the tomatoes and seasonings. Prepare dinner this combination for about 3 minutes, stirring incessantly. Lastly, add the raw rice to the filling combination, and prepare dinner for yet one more minute. Take the filling combination off the warmth.
- Roll the Sarma. Now, check out your cabbage leaves. Use a small knife, like a paring knife, to chop off the raised a part of the vein on every leaf. Eradicating this half will make it simpler to roll the sarma. Maintain one cabbage leaf flat in your palm, and place a heaping spoonful of filling to 1 aspect. Don’t overstuff since you gained’t have the ability to roll it up correctly. Add one walnut half to the filling, after which roll up the cabbage tightly, tucking within the sides, like a burrito. Lay every roll seam-side down in your baking dish or braiser.
- Season the Rolls and Add the Sauce. Generously sprinkle the cabbage rolls with salt and pepper, after which set them apart whilst you make the sauce. To make the sauce, warmth the olive oil in a saucepan, and prepare dinner the garlic in it for about 15 seconds. Add the paprika, after which stir within the scorching water. Convey this combination to a boil, after which pour it proper over your cabbage rolls.
- Bake. Cowl your baking dish with foil (or a lid, if it has an ovenproof lid). Bake the rolls for 45 minutes lined. Then uncover them, and bake for 15 extra minutes. As soon as that point is up, test one of many rolls to see if the rice is smooth and cooked by means of. If not, put the dish again within the oven for one more 10 minutes or so.
- Take pleasure in! As soon as the rice is smooth, you’ll be able to serve your cabbage rolls along with your favourite sides.
What’s the Finest Method to Soften Cabbage for Cabbage Rolls?
There are alternative ways to do that – you’ll be able to blanch the leaves solely, because the recipe says, or you would…
- Boil the Entire Head of Cabbage. Some recipes instruct you to boil the whole head of cabbage, pulling it out of a pot of boiling water each jiffy to peel off the outer leaves, after which sticking it again in to proceed boiling. This methodology clearly is usually a bit high-maintenance! Nonetheless, it is rather widespread.
- Steam the Cabbage. This works very similar to the boiling methodology, however you place the cabbage in a steamer over boiling water, as a substitute of within the boiling water. Peel away the outer leaves a number of at a time, as they turn out to be smooth.
- Freeze the Cabbage. This methodology requires some planning forward, however the concept is {that a} frozen and defrosted cabbage will probably be softened while not having to prepare dinner. Freeze your cabbage head a day or two prematurely, and thaw it out earlier than making your sarma.
Straightforward Suggestions and Variations
Macedonian stuffed cabbage is a straightforward, festive, and satisfying dish, and it is available in a number of variations! These are my high ideas and simple changes for customizing your Macedonian cabbage rolls. Take pleasure in!
- Seal with Cabbage Leaves: In case you are utilizing an ovenproof dish with an identical lid, it might not seal the cabbage rolls very properly. To assist preserve within the steam and soften the rice, you’ll be able to lay entire cabbage leaves excessive of your sarma earlier than including the lid.
- Add “Smoke.” Sarma recipes typically embrace bacon, ham hock, or one other smoky, meaty ingredient within the sauce. You’ll be able to undoubtedly do that, or simply substitute smoked paprika for among the candy paprika, and use vegetable broth as a substitute of water for depth.
- Use Bitter Cabbage: Some recipes for cabbage rolls really use fermented cabbage, like sauerkraut however with the entire leaves as a substitute of shredded leaves. If you will discover this ingredient, be happy to make use of it – if not, you’ll be able to “bitter” the cabbage your self by boiling it in water with a cup or two of vinegar and half a cup of salt. You wish to obtain a “pickled” taste.
- Add Further Veggies: For those who’d like extra selection in your filling combination, be happy to incorporate a few of your favourite sauteed veggies. Finely chopped eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini, or bell pepper would all work properly!
What to Serve with Sarma
To serve your Macedonian cabbage rolls, I like to recommend a aspect dish or two with some textural distinction. Cabbage rolls are heat, smooth, and filled with rice, so something crunchy or crispy is a good selection. Right here’s some inspo:
- Cucumber Salad: Crisp, cool, and creamy, this Radish and Cucumber Salad with Garlic-Yogurt Dressing is the proper distinction to scorching, steamy rice cabbage rolls.
- Chickpea Salad: Protein-rich chickpeas and crunchy, colourful chopped veggies make this pleasant salad shine! You’ll love the tangy lemon dressing and creamy feta in my traditional vegetarian Chickpea Salad.
- Potatoes: It doesn’t get a lot better than cabbage and potatoes, in my e book – and these Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes with Herb Butter are an awesome potato dish to go together with cabbage rolls, due to their golden-brown, crispy texture.
Easy methods to Retailer and Reheat Leftovers
- To refrigerate, place leftover cabbage rolls and sauce in an hermetic container, and place within the fridge. Leftover cabbage rolls will preserve for 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat, place the specified portion in an ovenproof dish, and bake at 350˚F for about quarter-hour, or till heated by means of. You may also microwave your cabbage rolls to reheat.
Can I Freeze These Cabbage Rolls?
- Sure, you’ll be able to freeze these! The truth is, they freeze so properly, you may wish to make a double batch and freeze half for one more dinner.
- To freeze, place the specified portion into freezer luggage, urgent out as a lot air as attainable earlier than sealing. You’ll be able to freeze all of the cabbage rolls collectively, or freeze in serving parts. They may preserve for as much as three months.
- Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
ENJOY!
Macedonian Cabbage Rolls (Sarma)
This simple recipe for Macedonian Cabbage Rolls (Sarma) is hearty, flavorful, and vegan! You’ll love the savory rice filling filled with herbs and spices, in tender cabbage leaves.
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350˚F.
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Grease a 9×13 baking dish, or a 3.5-quart braiser, with cooking spray and put aside.
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In case you are utilizing contemporary cabbage leaves:Convey a big pot of properly salted water to a boil.
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Add cabbage leaves to the boiling water; cowl and prepare dinner for about 4 minutes, or till the leaves are pliable.
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Drain properly and put aside on paper towels to dry.
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Warmth 3 tablespoons olive oil in a big skillet set over medium-high warmth.
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Add the onions to the heated oil and prepare dinner for 3 minutes, stirring often.
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Stir within the garlic and parsley; prepare dinner for 30 seconds.
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Add within the tomatoes; season with paprika, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and lemon pepper seasoning, and proceed to prepare dinner for 4 minutes, stirring incessantly, till tomatoes are tender.
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Add the rice and saute for 1 minute. Take away from warmth.
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Utilizing a paring knife, minimize off the raised a part of the vein on every cabbage leaf. This can make it simpler to roll.
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Lay the leaf flat in your fingers and place a heaping spoonful of the filling on one aspect of the leaf; add a bit of walnut in the course of the filling. Do not add an excessive amount of filling as a result of it is going to be too stuffed to roll it up.
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Roll it up tightly, tucking within the sides of the leaf, sort of such as you would roll up a burrito.
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Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in beforehand ready baking dish, seam sides down. Season tops with salt and black pepper. Put aside.
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Warmth 3 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan.
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Add garlic to the heated oil and prepare dinner for 15 seconds.
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Combine within the candy paprika.
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Stir within the scorching water (or broth) and produce to a boil.
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Pour the recent liquid over the cabbage rolls.
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Cowl the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
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Bake for 45 minutes.
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Take away the duvet and proceed to bake for quarter-hour.
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Take away from oven and test to make it possible for the rice is cooked by means of; if not, put it again within the oven for 10 to 12 minutes longer.
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Serve.
Notes
- Fermented Cabbage: For those who can’t discover fermented cabbage, however want to attempt the cabbage rolls with it, you’ll be able to “bitter” the cabbage your self by boiling it in water with a cup of vinegar and 1/4-cup of salt. You wish to obtain a “pickled” taste.
- Tip for Recent Cabbage: You’ll be able to place an entire head of contemporary cabbage right into a pot of salted boiling water; cut back warmth to a simmer and prepare dinner the cabbage for about quarter-hour, or till tender. Drain and put aside till cool sufficient to deal with.Rigorously peel away the leaves and place them on paper towels to dry off.
Vitamin Info
Macedonian Cabbage Rolls (Sarma)
Quantity Per Serving (3 cabbage rolls)
Energy 182
Energy from Fats 9
% Day by day Worth*
Fats 1g2%
Saturated Fats 1g5%
Polyunsaturated Fats 1g
Monounsaturated Fats 1g
Sodium 635mg26%
Potassium 160mg5%
Carbohydrates 40g13%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 1310IU26%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* % Day by day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie food regimen.
Dietary information is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values could fluctuate in response to the elements and instruments used. Please use your most popular dietary calculator for extra detailed information.
Key phrases: cabbage rolls, sarma, stuffed cabbage, vegan recipes, vegetarian meals
