Here’s a delicious and comforting recipe for Soft Cabbage and Potato Bundles! This dish combines the tender texture of cabbage with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonings, all wrapped up in a cozy bundle. Perfect as a main or a side dish, these bundles are sure to impress!
Soft Cabbage and Potato Bundles (Fagottini Morbidi di Verza e Patate)
Ingredients:
- 1 large head of savoy cabbage (or any soft cabbage)
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and boiled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for extra texture)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the baking dish)
- 1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth (optional, for extra moisture while baking)
Instructions:
-
Prepare the cabbage:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Trim the tough stems from the cabbage leaves and blanch them for 2-3 minutes until softened. Remove the cabbage leaves from the water and set them aside to cool. Once cooled, trim the thick veins from the leaves so they’re easier to fold.
-
Cook the potatoes:
- Peel and boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender (about 15-20 minutes). Drain them, then mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
-
Prepare the filling:
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened and golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add the mashed potatoes to the onions and stir well. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. If the mixture feels too thick, add a little bit of vegetable or chicken broth to loosen it up.
-
Assemble the bundles:
- Take one cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the potato mixture in the center of the leaf.
- Fold the sides of the cabbage leaf in toward the center and then fold the bottom up to form a neat bundle. You can use kitchen twine to secure the bundles if necessary.
-
Bake the bundles:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with butter.
- Arrange the cabbage bundles in the baking dish. If you like, drizzle a little vegetable broth or melted butter over the bundles for extra flavor and moisture.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the bundles are heated through.
-
Serve:
- Once baked, remove from the oven and serve warm. These soft cabbage and potato bundles are perfect as a side dish or even as a main course.
Tips:
- Add some protein: For a heartier meal, you can add ground meat (like beef or sausage) to the mashed potatoes or layer some in the cabbage bundles.
- Vegan option: Replace the cheese with a dairy-free alternative (such as nutritional yeast) and use plant-based butter or olive oil instead of dairy butter.
- Crunchy topping: For added texture, sprinkle some breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top of the bundles before baking.
This Soft Cabbage and Potato Bundle recipe is a wonderful, cozy, and comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy! 😊
