Recipe: Grape Leaf Rolls with Rice (Involtini in Foglie di Vite)
Category: Appetizers
Serves: 6
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Vialone Nano Rice | 200g |
| Grape Leaves | 30 leaves |
| Lemon Juice | 1 |
| Black Pepper | 1 pinch |
| Dill (fresh) | 1 tsp |
| Red Tropea Onions | 1 |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | 2 tbsp |
| Fresh Mint | 5g |
| Fresh Parsley | 1 tbsp |
| Sea Salt | To taste |
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Start by preparing the rice filling for the grape leaf rolls. Peel and finely chop one or two red Tropea onions. Do the same with the fresh herbs—chop the dill, mint, and parsley.
- Sauté the Onion: Heat a pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the chopped onions until they soften and become translucent.
- Cook the Rice: Add the Vialone Nano rice to the pan with the onions. Stir well and cook for about 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
- Season the Rice: Add the chopped mint, parsley, dill, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to the rice. Pour in about half a glass of water (approximately 120 ml), stir the mixture, and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan.
- Prepare the Grape Leaves: While the rice mixture cooks, clean the grape leaves by rinsing them thoroughly under cold water. Blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then lay them out flat on a clean kitchen towel to dry and cool.
- Assemble the Rolls: Once the rice filling has cooled, take a grape leaf and place a small spoonful of the rice mixture at the stem end of the leaf. Fold the bottom part of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and continue rolling the leaf tightly to encase the rice completely. Repeat the process until all the filling is used up.
- Cook the Rolls: Arrange the prepared grape leaf rolls in a tall pot with a thick bottom. Layer the rolls neatly, placing them seam side down. You can stack them in layers if needed.
- Simmer and Serve: Cover the rolls with a few extra grape leaves to prevent them from unrolling while cooking. Add a little water to the pot to partially cover the rolls. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 30-40 minutes. Once cooked, let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Grape leaf rolls are best served slightly warm or at room temperature, accompanied by a drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- These rolls can be enjoyed as a light appetizer or a side dish for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- The freshness of mint and parsley combined with the aromatic dill and the rich flavor of Tropea onions adds a refreshing twist to this dish.
