🥬 Farcellets de Col (Stuffed Cabbage Bundles)
Farcellets de col is a classic dish in Catalan and French cuisine: tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling, often baked or simmered in sauce.
🥄 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 medium cabbage (large leaves separated)
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, grated (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1 egg
- Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
- 1–2 cups tomato sauce (or broth for simmering)
- Olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the cabbage leaves
- Boil the cabbage leaves for 2–3 minutes until flexible
- Drain and cool
2. Make the filling
- In a bowl, mix:
- Ground meat
- Onion, carrot, garlic
- Cooked rice
- Egg, salt, pepper, paprika
3. Assemble the farcellets
- Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling on a cabbage leaf
- Fold sides and roll tightly into a bundle
- Secure with toothpicks if needed
4. Cook
Option 1 – Simmer:
- Place bundles in a pan, cover with tomato sauce, simmer 25–30 minutes
Option 2 – Bake:
- Place in a baking dish, cover with sauce, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes
5. Serve
- Serve hot, optionally with extra sauce
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley
💡 Tips
- Use savoy cabbage for tender leaves
- Add spices like nutmeg or thyme for extra flavor
- Can prepare in advance and refrigerate before cooking
🟡 Why it’s special
- Comforting, nutritious, and versatile
- Great way to use seasonal cabbage
- Can be made ahead for busy days
If you want, I can give you a low-carb version of Farcellets de Col using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
