Cabbage Rolls on Flatbreads

Cabbage rolls on flatbreads are a dish that combines the use of savoy cabbage leaves to wrap a flavorful filling and the rustic pleasure of flatbreads, or pressed focaccias. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 8 savoy cabbage leaves
• 200 g of ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix of both)
• 50 g of rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Meat or vegetable broth
• For the flatbreads:
• 500 g of flour
• 300 ml of lukewarm water
• 10 g of salt
• 25 g of fresh brewer’s yeast or 7 g of dry brewer’s yeast
• Olive oil for brushing

Preparation

1. Begin by preparing the dough for the flatbreads. Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and add it to the flour in a large bowl. Add the salt and knead until the mixture is smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the cabbage leaves for a few minutes until they become soft and flexible. Drain them and set aside.
3. Cook the rice until it’s almost done, then drain it and let it cool.
4. To prepare the filling for the rolls, mix in a bowl the ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper to taste.
5. Take a cabbage leaf, place a portion of the filling in the center, fold the sides of the leaf inward, and roll up to close the roll.
6. Heat a stream of oil in a large pan and brown the rolls on all sides.
7. Once golden, add broth to halfway cover them and cook for about 30 minutes on medium-low heat, with a lid.
8. Once the dough for the flatbreads has risen, divide it into balls of about 80-100 g each. Flatten them with your hands or with a rolling pin, until you obtain thin disks.
9. Heat a non-stick pan and cook the flatbreads for a few minutes per side, until they are golden brown and puffed up.
10. Brush the flatbreads with a bit of olive oil and serve them hot with the cabbage rolls.

You can customize the filling of the rolls to your liking, perhaps adding spices like paprika or cumin, or enriching the filling with grated cheese for a more Italian touch.

Curiosity

Cabbage rolls are a typical dish of Eastern Europe, widespread with numerous variations. The use of savoy cabbage to wrap fillings is a very old practice, capable of combining simplicity with a robust taste. The flatbread, on the other hand, finds its roots in the Italian culinary tradition, particularly in Tuscany, where it is prepared for many festive occasions or as everyday bread.