Stuffed cabbage rolls with pumpkin

Name: Stuffed cabbage rolls with pumpkin
Ingredients: (about 30; 35 larger pieces) Ground mixed pork and beef; 800 kg Rice; 80 g (pre-washed) Smoked bacon; approx. 300 g (cut into cubes) Grated pumpkin; about 200 g Grated onion; 3 pieces Smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon Dried thyme; 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme; 2 sprigs Cabbage leaves soaked for desalting; about 15-20 large pieces Chopped sauerkraut; 1/2 piece Bay leaves; 4-5 pieces Tomato paste; 1 cup Boiling water up to ¾ of the pot's capacity Salt and pepper to taste

Slow cooking - Stuffed cabbage rolls with pumpkin by Aurelia F. - Recipia

To prepare a delicious serving of cabbage rolls, you will need some essential ingredients and a bit of patience. Start by mixing ground pork or beef with rice, which has been thoroughly washed beforehand to remove excess starch. Add diced pumpkin, grated onion, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, mixing all the ingredients well until you achieve a homogeneous composition. This combination will give a special taste to your rolls. After preparing the filling, take the cabbage leaves and cut them in half. Start wrapping the meat and rice mixture in the leaves, making sure to tightly seal the ends to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking. In a 5.7-liter Crock Pot, add some chopped cabbage, which will form a base layer for the rolls. Add a sprig of fresh thyme, two bay leaves, half the amount of smoked bacon cubes, and a handful of freshly ground pepper to enhance the flavor. On top of this layer, add 3-4 tablespoons of tomato sauce and spread it evenly. Now, carefully place the prepared rolls, making sure to arrange them nicely to avoid breaking. Continue repeating the process, adding another layer of chopped cabbage, followed by sauce and boiling water, enough to reach ¾ of the ceramic pot's volume. This step is crucial to ensure even and flavorful cooking. Once you have completed all the layers, set the cooking time to 4 hours and 30 minutes, choosing the 'high' cooking mode. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the rolls and the type of cabbage used, so feel free to check their status periodically. Once the rolls are ready, serve them hot alongside a portion of steaming polenta and rich sour cream. This combination will perfectly complement the intense flavor of your rolls. Enjoy your meal!