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Pumpkin Cabbage Rolls

17/11/2023

Pumpkin cabbage rolls are an excellent choice for a flavorful and colorful autumnal dish, combining the delicacy of vegetables with the sweet and slightly earthy taste of pumpkin. Here is an Italian version of the dish:

Ingredients

  • 8 savoy cabbage leaves (or white cabbage)
  • 500 g of cleaned and diced pumpkin
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 200 g of carnaroli rice or other risotto rice
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 500 ml of vegetable broth
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • Butter (optional for creaminess)

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the cabbage leaves. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, immerse the cabbage leaves and blanch them for about 5 minutes until they become soft but still firm. Then drain them and lay them out to dry on a clean cloth.

  2. For the filling, sauté the finely chopped onion and garlic in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Once golden, add the diced pumpkin, salt and pepper, and cook until the pumpkin is soft enough to be mashed with a fork. Add a pinch of nutmeg for a hint of spice, if desired.

  3. Prepare the risotto by adding the rice to the same pan with the pumpkin. Toast it for a few minutes and then start adding the vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, waiting for the liquid to be absorbed before adding more. Continue cooking until the rice is al dente and the pumpkin well integrated, then stir in the Parmesan and a bit of butter for more creaminess.

  4. Place each cabbage leaf on a flat surface and put some of the pumpkin risotto in the center. Fold the sides of the cabbage inward and roll up to form the rolls.

  5. Arrange the rolls in a lightly oiled baking dish, drizzle some oil over the top, and, if you wish, some water or broth to keep the dish moist while cooking.

  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (350 °F) for about 20 minutes or until the tops of the rolls begin to brown.

Curiosity

Cabbage rolls are a typical dish in many culinary traditions, widespread from Eastern Europe to Scandinavian countries. In Italian cuisine, they are commonly found in versions with meat fillings or grains, always very aromatic and comforting in the colder seasons.

Enjoy your meal!