Ah! Farcellets de col are small stuffed cabbage parcels, a classic dish in Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine. They’re like mini cabbage rolls, usually filled with a savory meat or rice mixture, lightly cooked, and sometimes baked in a tomato sauce. Here’s a clear recipe:
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the cabbage parcels:
- 1 small head of cabbage (green or savoy), leaves separated and blanched
- 250 g (½ lb) ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef)
- ½ cup cooked rice (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp chopped parsley
For the sauce (optional):
- 400 g (14 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper
- ½ tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage leaves:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Blanch the cabbage leaves for 2–3 minutes until soft and pliable. Drain and cool.
- Make the filling:
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Form the parcels:
- Place 1–2 tbsp of filling in the center of each cabbage leaf.
- Fold the sides over and roll tightly to enclose the filling. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Cook the parcels:
Option 1 – Simmered:- In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil and brown parcels on all sides.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, cover, and simmer 20–25 minutes until fully cooked.
Option 2 – Baked:
- Place parcels in a baking dish, cover with tomato sauce, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes.
- Serve:
- Remove toothpicks, plate the parcels, and spoon sauce over the top.
💡 Tips:
- Add grated cheese or chopped mushrooms to the filling for extra flavor.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Can be made smaller as appetizers or larger as main courses.
If you want, I can give a quick version of Farcellets de Col using a slow cooker, which makes the cabbage super tender and infuses the filling with the sauce—super convenient.
Do you want me to provide that version?
