Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Lahana Sarması)

A staple of traditional Turkish cuisine, cabbage rolls are often wrapped in the local style known as “muska” (triangle-shaped).

Servings: 6–8 People

🛒 Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Sufficient amount of cabbage leaves

• 2 cups rice

• 4 medium onions

  

• 4 medium tomatoes

• 1 bunch parsley

• 1 bunch fresh mint

• 1.5 tea glasses vegetable oil (about 150 ml)

• 2 tablespoons salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 lemon

🥣 Preparation

Prepare the Cabbage:
Separate, clean, and wash the cabbage leaves.

Blanch the Leaves:
Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and lemon juice.
Blanch the cabbage leaves until the veins soften. Drain and let them cool.

🔥 Instructions

Prepare the Filling:
Add finely chopped onions and tomatoes to the washed and drained rice.
Mix in chopped parsley and mint.
Add salt, black pepper, and vegetable oil, then combine well. The filling is prepared raw.

Wrap the Rolls:
Trim thick veins of the cabbage leaves if needed.
Place a portion of the filling in the center of each leaf and roll tightly.
Traditionally, the rolls are wrapped in a triangle (“muska”) shape.

Cook the Rolls:
Arrange the rolls neatly in a pot.
Add enough hot water to barely cover them and cook over low heat with the lid on.
Once the rice is fully cooked, remove from heat.

✅ Note

The lemon in the blanching water softens the leaves and adds a pleasant aroma.
Tightly arranging the rolls in the pot prevents them from falling apart.

Enjoy your meal! 🌿