These stuffed cabbage leaves are packed with a filling of ground meat, rice and spices, and simmered in a tangy tomato sauce. What makes this particular dish special, however, is an unexpected twist — slices of quince that lend a touch of sweetness and depth to the sauce. With every forkful, a tradition that’s about as old as the hills, and comfort food at its finest, it is the ideal family cozy dinner.
Why You’ll Love It:
Best For: Cold Weather Comfortable Evenings: Stuffed cabbage rolls are great when it is chilly in the house, or any time of year when you are looking for a meat dish that is heavy and warming.
Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Taste: This recipe uses economical mains and sides like ground meat, cabbage, onions, and rice. With the added twist of quince, it’s familiar but unusual.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Stuffed cabbage rolls freeze well and reheat beautifully, which makes them the perfect make-ahead meal. Prepare the night before or even freeze them for an easy meal later.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe can be adjusted to suit many tastes and dietary needs, from the meat that you use to the bottom line in juiciness and flavor in the filling.
You can Dive into some tips for how to get the most flavor and texture out of each ingredient!
Key Ingredients:
Choosing the Cabbage: Go with a medium to large cabbage head, which will yield leaves big enough to easily roll and wrap around the stuffing. Savoy or green cabbage varieties work best for rolling because they are tender and pliable, and their leaves become even softer when boiled.
Meat options: You can fill this with beef, pork, lamb or a combination. Together the beef and pork create a classic flavor balance, but don’t be afraid to have fun. The sweetness and extra fat pork provides amplifies the rolls’ moistness, and beef will add hearty richness. If you want a leaner but still heartier option, ground turkey is a good choice.
Rice: Typically, uncooked white rice; it absorbs flavors while being cooked and assists the filling stick together. So brown rice is fine, but it will give the dish a nutty flavor and firmer texture. To spice things up, try using quinoa or bulgur instead for texture and a little extra fiber.
Quince: This is the secret ingredient that makes this recipe unique. If you can find quince, by all means add it, for its sweetness, bracing without being too sweet, works with the savor. If you can’t find quince, use halved (or sliced) apples or pears for a similar effect. Just be sure to slice them thinly so they will slack as the rolls bake.
Tomato Sauce: A basic, smooth tomato sauce is lovely here. For a little extra richness, you could also stir in a spoonful of tomato paste or a can of crushed tomatoes for more texture. A sprinkle of sugar or a splash of vinegar in the sauce will help balance the acidity and enhance the natural sweetness of the quince, too.
