🥬 Traditional Homemade Sarma (Stuffed Sour Cabbage Rolls)

Description

Authentic Balkan sarma made with sour cabbage leaves, filled with juicy meat and rice, slow-cooked with smoked meat until perfectly tender. A traditional comfort food, rich in flavor and perfect for family meals.

Ingredients

🥬 1 large head of sour cabbage (or ~20 leaves)

🥩 300g ground pork

🥩 300g ground beef

🧅 1 onion, finely chopped

🍚 100g uncooked rice

🌶️ 1 tsp sweet paprika

🧂 Salt, to taste

⚫ Black pepper, to taste

🌿 1/2 tsp dried thyme

🥓 200g smoked meat (ribs, bacon, or sausage)

🍃 2 bay leaves

💧 Water or broth (to cover)

Optional roux (zaprška):

🛢️ 2 tbsp oil

🌾 1 tbsp flour

🌶️ 1 tsp sweet paprika

Preparation

➊ Soak or rinse the cabbage leaves if too salty. Cut out thick veins to make rolling easier.

➋ In a bowl, mix pork, beef, onion, rice, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme until well combined.

➌ Place filling on each cabbage leaf, fold sides, and roll tightly.

➍ Line the pot with shredded cabbage. Arrange sarma rolls in layers, add smoked meat and bay leaves.

➎ Pour in water or broth to cover. Place a plate on top. Simmer on low heat for 2.5 to 3 hours.

➏ For roux (optional): Heat oil, add flour, stir until golden. Remove from heat, add paprika, mix, and pour into pot. Simmer 10 more minutes.

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