Sarma (albanian Stuffed Grape Leaves With Rice And Meat)

Sarma is a traditional dish in Arbëreshë cuisine, consisting of grape leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice and meat. This dish is popular in Albanian cuisine and is often served during special occasions and celebrations.

Gluten Free Dairy Free Main Course Arbëreshë Arbresh Cuisine Albanian Cuisine Grape Leaves Stuffed Dish
Sarma (albanian Stuffed Grape Leaves With Rice And Meat)

Ingredients

  • 1 jar of grape leaves, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup of rice
  • 1 lb of ground meat (beef or lamb)
  • 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

  1. Rinse the grape leaves under cold water and set aside to drain.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the rice, ground meat, onion, parsley, dill, olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. Place a grape leaf on a flat surface, shiny side down. Place a spoonful of the rice and meat mixture in the center of the leaf.
  4. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to the top to form a compact roll.
  5. Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling mixture.
  6. Place the stuffed grape leaves in a large pot, seam side down, in a single layer. Add the lemon slices on top.
  7. Add enough water to cover the grape leaves, then place a plate on top to keep them submerged during cooking.
  8. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 1 hour, or until the rice is fully cooked.
  9. Once cooked, remove the plate and allow the sarma to 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
Carbohydrates
30g
Protein
15g
Fat
8g

Supplies

Large pot Plate

Tools

Knife Cutting board Bowl

Serving suggestions

Sarma is best served warm, accompanied by a dollop of yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice. It pairs well with a fresh salad and crusty bread.

Tips & tricks

To make the rolling process easier, you can trim the tough stems from the grape leaves before filling and rolling them.

Cost

$15