Is there an easier way to make stuffed cabbage?

Question

Is there an easier way to get the cabbage off the head than boiling it?

Answer 1

Sometimes I freeze my heads of cabbage. Then thaw it in the fridge. This process breaks down the fibers and makes it pliable. It takes some planning ahead though.

Another way I have done my cabbage is to take the core out, put it in a deep microwavable bowl with about a cup of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave. Stop every couple minutes and peel off the outter leaves that have become soft.

But I still find boiling it to be the quickest.
Core it, put it in a big pot of boiling water and peel the leaves off as they soften.

Have you ever bought 'sour cabbage' ?
This is ready to use for making cabbage rolls. Just rinse the leaves off well and drain before filling. But I must warn you sour cabbage is much more expensive than your fresh head of cabbage. Also it gives the cabbage rolls a tangy flavor. Very good actually. Us Germans use it or saurkraut all the time when making our cabbage rolls.

Answer 2

I find that leaves come off easier if I cut deep into the core of the cabbage. I remove the center section as much as possible and boil the cabbage head. Then remove leaves as they become loosened.

Answer 3

If you don't mind it not being rolls, then try this recipe. This is a crockpot dinner and is so good. I found it on the web a while ago.

1 pound shredded cabbage
3/4 lb lean ground beef (do not brown)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 C long grain rice
28 ounces chunky spaghetti sauce
1/2 C. water
1/4 tsp dried basil leaves, crushed
1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Place 1/2 the cabbage in a 5 qt. crockpot. Crumble ground beef over top. Sprinkle with 1/4tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Evenly ribute chopped onion, then rice over all. Top with remaining cabbage, salt and pepper. Combine spaghetti sauce, water, basil and seasoned salt; pour over cabbage. Coer and cook on low for 5-6 hours or till rice is tender. Enjoy!

Answer 4

I don't actually make stuffed cabbage (too much work.) But, I do make a hotdish with the same ingredients that's very easy to make. When you make the hotdish, you can just cut the cabbage into small pieces into the bottom of your roaster. Add the rest of the ingredients and put it in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour. It tastes really good!!!

Answer 5

Unfortunately no. There is a lot of labor involved - look at it as the *love* that goes into preparing something really good! You can bask in the compliments. Parboiling the head of cabbage does a couple of things. It softens the leaves, and aids in the easy removal of the leaves. Softened leaves makes folding them much easier.

Rich

Answer 6

no because if you dont boil they will not cook very well they will be tough