Local food map Orheiul Vechi (Moldova)
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🥩
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥650kcal
💪30gProtein
🌾70gCarbs
🥑25gFat
🌿6gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten

Sarmale de Orhei

How to order / say it
Say it Sarmale de Orhei — [sar-mah-leh deh or-hey]
Order I'd like the Sarmale de Orhei, please.
Locally Aș dori Sarmale de Orhei, vă rog.
Say locally

Cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and pork, simmered in tomato sauce.

Why try it?

Sarmale de Orhei showcases the community's emphasis on hearty and wholesome dishes, bringing people together during festive occasions.

How it tastes

Savory with a subtle sourness from fermented cabbage. The tender meat and rice filling is perfectly complemented by the rich tomato sauce.

Origin & History — first documented: 1860

Dating back to the mid-19th century, these rolls were introduced in Orheiul Vechi as a festive dish, combining flavors from neighboring countries adapted to local tastes.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 10 leaves cabbage leaves
  • 🥩 300 g pork
  • 🌾 200 g rice
  • 🥣 300 ml tomato sauce
  • 🧄 100 g onion
  • 🌿 20 g dill

Method

  1. 1 Mix minced pork, pre-cooked rice, and spices for the filling.
  2. 2 Wrap small amounts of filling in each cabbage leaf.
  3. 3 Place rolls in a pot, cover with tomato sauce, and simmer.
  4. 4 Cook until the cabbage is tender and the flavors meld.
  5. 5 Serve warm, garnished with fresh dill.

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All Europe recipes — Moldova — Orheiul Vechi — Sarmale de Orhei
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