Sarma (albanian Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Sarma is a traditional dish in Arbëreshë cuisine, made with grape leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, ground meat, and herbs. It's a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 jar of grape leaves
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions
- Rinse the grape leaves under cold water to remove excess salt, then drain and pat dry.
- In a large bowl, mix together the rice, ground beef, onion, parsley, dill, olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place a grape leaf on a flat surface, shiny side down. Place a small amount of the rice mixture in the center of the leaf, then fold the sides over the filling and roll it up tightly.
- Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling mixture.
- Place the stuffed grape leaves in a large pot, seam side down, packing them tightly in layers.
- Place a few lemon slices on top of the grape leaves, then add enough water to cover the leaves.
- Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 1 hour, or until the rice is tender and the grape leaves are cooked through.
- Remove from heat and let the sarma cool slightly before serving.
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 30 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 1 hour
- Total time:
- 1 hour
- Cooking method
- Stovetop
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 250 per serving
- Protein
- 15g
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 8g
Supplies
Large pot Knife Cutting board
Tools
Lemon squeezer Tongs
Serving suggestions
Sarma is best served warm, accompanied by a dollop of yogurt or a fresh salad.
Tips & tricks
To make the rolling process easier, you can blanch the grape leaves in boiling water for a few seconds before using them.
Cost
$15