Heart-Healthy Sarmale in Cabbage Leaves

Transform your favorite comfort food into a nutritious delight with our *Heart-Healthy Sarmale in Cabbage Leaves*! This wholesome twist on a traditional Eastern European dish swaps heavy meats and starches for lean ground turkey, fiber-rich brown rice, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all delicately wrapped in tender cabbage leaves. Sautéed garlic, onions, and grated carrots enhance the filling with layers of savory sweetness, while a luscious tomato sauce infused with paprika and thyme ties everything together. Simmered to perfection, these flavorful cabbage rolls are low in fat, high in nutrients, and irresistibly satisfying. Perfect for a cozy dinner that nourishes the heart and soul, this recipe serves six and pairs beautifully with a side of crusty whole-grain bread or a light green salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:100 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 head large cabbage
• 1 cup brown rice
• 500 grams lean ground turkey
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 medium, grated carrot
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 0.5 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 400 grams canned tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Core the cabbage and remove any damaged outer leaves.

Step 2

Submerge the cabbage head in boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Carefully remove the leaves as they soften and set aside. Repeat until you have about 12 large leaves.

Step 3

Cook the brown rice according to package instructions and set aside to cool.

Step 4

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, onions, and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the grated carrot to the skillet and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 6

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooled rice, onion and carrot mixture, fresh parsley, paprika, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 7

Place a small amount of the meat mixture (about 2-3 tablespoons) onto the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll up from the thick end of the leaf to enclose the filling completely.

Step 8

In a large pot, pour half of the tomato sauce into the bottom. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down on top of the sauce.

Step 9

Mix the remaining tomato sauce with 1 cup of water and pour over the cabbage rolls in the pot.

Step 10

Cover the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 60 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the meat is cooked through.

Step 11

Let the sarmale cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your heart-healthy meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2611.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1523.2

Total Fat 54.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 357.1mg	0%
Sodium 3026.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 160.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.4g	0%
Total Sugars 56.9g
Protein 122.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 699.7mg	0%
Iron 17.3mg	0%
Potassium 4651.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.2%

Protein: 30.2%

Carbs: 39.6%