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Holishkes (Stuffed Cabbage)

This traditional recipe for Holishkes, or stuffed cabbage, is a quintessential comfort food dish that perfectly balances sweet and savoury flavours. Primarily featured in Central and Eastern European cuisine, these hearty rolls are packed with a nutritious filling of minced beef and rice, then slowly simmered in a unique citrus-infused tomato sauce. The addition of fresh lemon and orange pieces provides a bright, zesty contrast to the rich, spiced sauce, making this a truly aromatic meal.

As a high-protein main course, this dish is both satisfying and wholesome, providing a complete meal that the whole family will enjoy. The slow-cooking process ensures the cabbage becomes butter-soft while the rice absorbs all the fragrant juices from the meat. For a truly authentic experience, serve these cabbage rolls alongside buttery boiled potatoes and a simple side of leafy greens or roasted root vegetables.

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Ingredients for Holishkes (Stuffed Cabbage)

  • 675g chopmeat

  • 140g uncooked white rice

  • 240ml finely chopped onion

  • 2 eggs, beaten

  • 120ml water

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped or crushed fresh garlic

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1/2 teaspoons pepper

  • 475ml plain tomato sauce

  • 350ml finely chopped onion

  • 1/2 orange, chopped with peel into 1/2-inch pieces

  • remove pits

  • 2/3 lemon, chopped with peel into 1/2-inch pieces

  • remove pits

  • 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

  • 200g white sugar

  • 120ml brown sugar

  • 120ml white vinegar

  • 475ml water

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 large lightweight young green cabbage

  • 1 medium green cabbage. You'll need 950ml (if you don't have enough, supplement with leftovers from the large cabbage).

  1. In a large bowl, combine all the stuffing ingredients. Stir them with a fork, then mix thoroughly with your hands. Cover and refrigerate.

  2. In another bowl, thoroughly mix all sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate.

  3. Fill a very large stockpot three-quarters full with water and bring to a rapid boil. While bringing the water to a boil, use a thin, sharp knife to make deep cuts around the core of the large cabbage (cut into the cabbage in a circle about 1/4 inch out from the core). Lift out the core, making a hole about 2 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches deep. This is a bit difficult — persevere.

  4. Set out a baking tray neat the stove. Stick a long cooking fork into the core hole of the large cabbage, and plunge it (carefully, so you don't splash yourself) into the pot of rapidly boiling water. The outer leaves will begin to fall off. Leave them in the boiling water for a few minutes until they're limp and flexible enough for stuffing; then take them out one at a time, and place them on the baking tray. Try not to tear the leaves. When all the leaves are on the tray, transfer it into the sink and pour the boiling water from the pot over them. Wash the leaves carefully in cold water. With a small, sharp knife, trim off the tough outer spines and discard them.

  5. Find your largest leaves, and set them out on a plate. Set out all other leaves on another plate. One at a time, line each large leaf with another large leaf or two smaller leaves. (The idea is to strengthen your cabbage wrapping so that the stuffing stays securely inside during cooking. Be sure to align the spines of inner and outer leaves.) Stuff with 3/4 cup of the meat-rice mixture, roll very tightly along the spine, and close both sides by tucking them in with your fingers. The spine should be vertical in the centre of tour roll.

  6. Stir the 4 cups of chopped cabbage into the sauce. Pour 3/4 inch of the sauce into a large, wide-bottomed stockpot. Arrange the cabbage rolls carefully on top of the sauce, and pour the remainder of the sauce over them to cover. Cover pot and simmer for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Serve with boiled potatoes and a vegetable.

Avvertenza

Sebbene sia stato fatto ogni sforzo per garantire che le informazioni siano accurate e aggiornate, le esigenze individuali possono variare e i requisiti dietetici possono differire in base alle condizioni di salute personali. Controlla sempre le etichette degli alimenti e le informazioni sugli allergeni prima di preparare o consumare qualsiasi ricetta. Se hai preoccupazioni specifiche per la salute, allergie, intolleranze o stai seguendo una dieta prescritta dal medico, consulta il tuo medico di base, farmacista o un dietista registrato prima di apportare cambiamenti significativi alla tua dieta o stile di vita.

Storia dell'articolo

Le informazioni su questa pagina sono revisionate da clinici qualificati.

  • 29 Gen 2026 | Pubblicato originariamente

    Autore:

    Redattori di ricette del Regno Unito

    Revisione paritaria di

    Redattori di ricette del Regno Unito
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