Description
Polish golumpki roll tender cabbage leaves around seasoned ground meat, creating a comforting classic from Eastern European kitchens. Hearty, satisfying golumpki invite warm family gatherings with rich flavors that connect you to traditional Polish culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) lean ground beef
- 0.5 pound (0.23 kilograms) ground pork
- 1 large egg, beaten
Grains and Vegetables:
- 1 large green cabbage
- 2 cups (475 milliliters) cooked rice
- 0.5 small yellow onion, grated
- 0.5 small yellow onion, grated
- 4 large garlic cloves, grated
- 3 large garlic cloves, grated
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (from 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 28 ounces (794 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh dill (optional)
Instructions
- Carefully extract the core from the cabbage head, creating a clean base for leaf removal.
- Submerge the entire cabbage in rapidly boiling water, gently separating leaves until they become translucent and flexible (approximately 3-4 minutes).
- Transfer cabbage leaves to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach a manageable temperature.
- Combine ground meats with finely minced aromatics, incorporating cooked rice, beaten egg, and zesty lemon zest in a chilled mixing bowl.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce crushed tomatoes, seasoning with salt and pepper, then simmer the sauce to develop rich flavors.
- Carefully trim the thick central rib from each cabbage leaf to ensure smooth rolling.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing two baking dishes with a protective layer of tomato sauce.
- Place a precise portion of meat mixture near the leaf’s base, folding edges inward before tightly rolling each cabbage package.
- Nestle the stuffed rolls snugly in the prepared baking dishes, ensuring they are closely packed.
- Generously ladle remaining tomato sauce over the cabbage rolls, creating a moist cooking environment.
- Roast in the preheated oven until the filling reaches a safe internal temperature and cabbage becomes tender (approximately 55 minutes).
- Allow the golumpki to rest briefly, enabling flavors to meld and settle.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh dill for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Tradition meets comfort in this hearty Polish classic that warms both body and soul.
- Golumpki transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece passed down through generations.
- Perfectly rolled cabbage leaves cradle a savory mixture of meat and rice, swimming in rich tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg