Ukrainian cabbage rolls (holodets)
Cabbage rolls are a comforting and hearty dish made from tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory filling. This weeknight-friendly version simplifies the process while preserving the authentic flavors of Ukrainian cuisine.
Ukrainian · 60 min · 4 servings · Florian Wagner
Ingredients
- 8 cabbage leaves, blanched
- 100 g rice, uncooked
- 300 g ground pork
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 500 ml water or broth
Method
- In a pot, cook the rice according to package instructions until slightly undercooked; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion and grated carrot in a bit of oil until softened.
- In a bowl, mix the ground pork, cooked rice, sautéed onion, carrot, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Take a blanched cabbage leaf, place a spoonful of the filling at the base, and roll it up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go.
- Repeat with remaining leaves and filling mixture.
- Place the rolls seam-side down in a pot, and add water or broth to cover them halfway. Stir in the tomato paste.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 40 minutes on low heat until the meat is cooked through and the cabbage is tender.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.