Golubtsy (Stuffed Cabbage or Grape Leaves)

This time I will share a recipe of golubtsy that is quite a common healthy meal in Moldova.

 In other words golubtsy are stuffed cabbage or grape leaves. The stuffing is a combination of rice, bulgur, meat and vegetables. Golubtsy are served as a main dish in my country. A lot of people enjoy eating golubtsy with sour cream. I like it too. 
The recipe below I learned from my mom, who is a great cook as well as a great mom :).
Give it a try and I am sure you will enjoy!


Inspirational Note on Health Benefits :)

In this section let's talk about rice and bulgur which constitute much of the stuffing.

Rice by itself is quite healthy. It is rich in carbohydrate. As to white rice versus brown rice, the former is delicate but it lacks the bran and germ and is less nutritious than the latter, so we will partially compensate for that by including bulgur and vegetables in the stuffing. 
"As a member of the wheat family, bulgur helps to detoxify the liver. A food for the colon, bulgur's high fiber content stimulates bowel elimination and prevents colon conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, even development of colon polyps" (Cooking for Healthy Healing: The Healing Diets by Linda Page).
Now if you want to try a healthy meal, let's get started!

Preparation: 40-5o min. 
Cooking time: 40-50 min. 
Serves: 8 - 10.








We will need:
Grape or cabbage leaves (fresh, canned or bottled): about 60-80 small leaves;
Onion (medium): 2 
Carrot (medium): 2
Short-grain white rice: 500 gr
Bulgur: 200 gr
Meat (ground): 500 gr
Dill (chopped): 1/2 cup 
Tomato paste: 3 tb spoons
Oil: for sauteing
Salt: to taste


Prepare the leaves.

This time I used fresh grape leaves and cabbage leaves in brine.
Grape leaves are usually picked when they are young and tender (in May, June). Make sure they haven't been subjected to chemical spraying. They should be about the size of your palm. 
Rinse fresh or canned or bottled grape leaves. Cut off the stems. Blanch them (for 3-5 min). 
As to the cabbage leaves in brine, rinse and blanch them too. 
Now the leaves are ready!

Prepare the filling.

- Peel and chop onion.
- Peel and grate carrot.
- Chop dill.
- Chop meat if it is not ground.





- Pick over, wash rice and put into a small saucepan. Bring to boil some water and add it to the rice to cover it slightly. Cover the saucepan with the lid and let it sit for about 20 min.
- Saute onion for 2-3 min. using any type of oil.
- Add grated carrot stirring for additional 2-3 min.
- Add chopped dill sauteing for additional 2 min.
- Add tomato paste stirring for 2 more min.


 
- Add meat.
- Wash bulgur and add it to the mixture.
- Add salt and mix the filling thoroughly.






Filling and rolling the leaves.
Now let's prepare the pots for our stuffed leaves by placing 2-3 leaves on the bottom of each pot. We will cook stuffed grape and cabbage leaves separately to preserve their color and taste.

Here are some techniques how to wrap them up:   

Cooking.

- When you're done with wrapping, pour water to slightly cover golubtsy.
-  Place a plate on top of golubtsy to keep them all under the water, bring to a gentle boil and simmer 40-50 minutes or until they are ready.

ENJOY IT!