Pumpkin & Speck Cabbage Rolls with Grana Padano

Cabbage Rolls with Pumpkin and Speck

Category: Appetizers
Servings: 9

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pumpkin:
   Begin by prepping the pumpkin. Slice it into 2 cm thick pieces, removing the seeds and the stringy bits. Line a baking tray with parchment paper, and lay the pumpkin slices on it. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, scatter a few sprigs of rosemary on top, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

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2. Roast the Pumpkin:
   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) in static mode. Roast the pumpkin slices for 25-30 minutes, or until they become tender and soft.

3. Prepare the Cabbage:
   While the pumpkin is roasting, take the savoy cabbage and remove the core. Carefully peel off 5 large leaves, each weighing around 60g. Cut out the central vein of each leaf to eliminate the tough part, and then halve them.

4. Blanch the Cabbage Leaves:
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the cabbage leaves for about 1 minute to soften them. Once done, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in a colander to drain.

5. Prepare the Speck:
   Cut the speck into thin strips and then into small cubes, approximately 1 cm. Heat a small frying pan with a little olive oil and sauté the speck cubes for about 5-10 minutes, until they turn slightly golden and crispy. Once done, remove from the heat and set aside.

6. Make the Pumpkin Filling:
   Once the roasted pumpkin has cooled slightly, cut it into smaller pieces and place them in a food processor. Pulse until the pumpkin turns into a smooth puree. Transfer this mixture into a piping bag using a spatula to help.

7. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:
   To assemble, take one cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of pumpkin puree in the center. Add a teaspoon of sautéed speck cubes on top of the pumpkin. Fold in the edges of the cabbage leaf to form a roll. Repeat for the remaining leaves and filling.

8. Prepare the Baking Dish:
   Grease a baking dish with butter, using a pastry brush to coat the base and sides. Arrange the prepared cabbage rolls in the dish.

9. Add Grana Padano:
   Once the cabbage rolls are neatly arranged in the dish, sprinkle them generously with grated Grana Padano cheese.

10. Bake and Serve:
    Bake the cabbage rolls in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top. Remove from the oven, and let them cool slightly before serving.

These Cabbage Rolls with Pumpkin and Speck make for a delightful appetizer, combining the sweetness of the roasted pumpkin with the savory flavors of speck and the delicate crunch of cabbage. Perfect for a warm, comforting start to any meal!