Stuffed cabbage

[2xchickenfarm]

The Polish have a name for these as Hallupkies. I steam the cabbage, so you can remove the leafs easier. I stuff with rice and hamburger. Separate the leafs and put the hamburger/rice mixture in each leaft and roll them up. You actually have to fold the leaf and then roll it up so that the meat mixture stays in the leaf. I put them in a large pot and put some water mixed with a small can of tomato sauce. If you don't have tomato sauce you can use some ketup with water. I put a lid on them and cook until done. My mother does the same but puts only tomato sauce in them and a lot more of it as it was a soup etc. When I make it this way whatever is left for the broth, etc. is a good base for vegetable soup.

 

[Equus5O]

Thanks for the advice. I was just curious about the methods (stove top vs. oven) and liquids (tomato vs. sauerkraut) that people use.

The Parmesan and sausage sound interesting, but my Slovak grandmother would roll in her grave if I did that! I use a tomato based liquid, which my mother said any Slovak would turn her nose up at! LOL Other than that, I make a very traditional stuffed cabbage.

 

[gallinamama]

Quote:
Although I am not Italian... I married one.. my mother in law (bless her heart)... taught me to cook. I have tweaked the recipe over the years... and this one is the one everyone likes, I never measure but one thing that I do that is different too is...I use the cabbage..(the curlier one..) It isn't as sweet. It is also easier to get the leaves off.. without too much breaking. Makes the job a lot faster.

I know that the Polish and Slovak's would want to slap me... but sometimes you have to get out of the box... and do something a bit different. I use my homemade spaghetti sauce to cover it and season the inside. Try them.. you will like it...

 

[LivinNewDreamInND]

I make them the very traditional polish way. 1/2 ground beef, 1/2 ground pork and rice inside steamed cabbage leaves baked in the oven with tomato juice and sauerkraut. The only variation from tradition that my family has used for years and years is that we all cut up kronskis and place them in the baking dish. That is actually my favorite part because it gives the kids, that turn up their noses to cabbage rolls, something to eat and it gives the sauce a smokey flavor.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Oberhaslikid - Join the Club

I do love the rolled & stuffed leaves but when I am feeling particularly lazy I just layer the leaves in a baking dish after wilting them in the microwave.
I alternate layers of cabbage leaves with filling - usually ground turkey or beef mixed with homemade tomato sauce if I have that in the freezer or canned if I don't. Sometimes I mix rice into the filling, sometimes just serve over rice.
I season with S&P, basil, garlic powder or finely chopped fresh & a pinch of sugar to cut the acidity.

I like the idea of adding some sausage to the filling -that would sure help the turkey which tends to be dry.
Sweet Italian sausage would be Mmmmmm : 9
I may have to fly in the face of tradition & use this addition

FWIW:
A Persian friend gave me a recipe that uses onions - you boil or microwave large onions to soften them then use the layers of onion to roll your filling in
This one takes some time, but whenever I make it I think of her.

 

[arabianequine]

I am not sure on the crock pot time exactly.....I would say at least 2 hours maybe up to 4-6. You can just kinda tell by eye when your cabbage is so tender and done....I also use a cooking thermometer.

 

[Whispering Winds]

I call them porcupines. You can also freeze the cabbage leaves and let them thaw, works really good that way too. I use spaghetti sauce because it is already flavored and I almost always have a jar or can of that around!! I love them.

 

[JAPJRGIRL21]

Okay, I am really lazy...I put it all in one pot and be done with it...I cook the ground sausage or pork in the stock pot, adding the spices to it...cut up the cabbage and dump it on top...cook down the cabbage some and then put the tomato sauce on top of that and stir...contining to let it cook until the cabbage is fully cooked down...then I cheat some more by using the "Steamers" bag of white rice in the microwave...put the rice in the bowls first and then the cabbage mixture on top...and yes, the recipe came about because I just couldn't be bothered playing with the cabbage and rollin' it up...

 

[sheila3935]

Quote:
We call them "pigs in a blanket".

yeah thats what my mom called them. Thought that we were the only ones in the world that called them that. So cool to know someone else does too