• Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
Subscribe & never miss a recipe →
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Proportional Plate
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • LIFESTYLE
    • DESIGN
    • ABOUT
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Jewish

    Holishkes – Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

    Published: Sep 27, 2021 Modified: Sep 27, 2021 by Candice

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Cabbage rolls in red sauce with onions.
    Three cabbage rolls on an oval plate.
    Close up of cabbage rolls.
    Close up of cabbage rolls.

    This is not your average holishke recipe, this one is very special. Just in time for Simchat Torah, Holishkes are enjoyed during the holiday that celebrates Torah scrolls... with little stuffed cabbage sc-rolls to represent them.

    This is the version we make at home. I use one of my favorite Persian stew bases and delicious dolmeh filling to create these holishkes. The combination of flavors is so wonderful, you'll make all your holishkes like this from now on!

    Close up of cabbage rolls.

    This post contains affiliate links where I might receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why this Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients & Substitutions
    3 How to Make this Recipe
    4 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls FAQs
    5 Related Recipes
    6 Holishkes

    Why this Recipe Works

    This recipe is versatile as you can make it in a dutch oven or slow cooker. The slow cooking method used in both means that the cabbage and filling become very tender, and are infused with the flavors of the broth around them.

    The cabbage is gently cooked so you can release the leaves without tearing them.

    I'm using the base to one of my favorite Persian stews because the flavors of tomato combined with sweet pomegranate molasses add delicious complex flavors to the holishkes.

    The tender lamb filling is just incredible with this stew base, adding a great flavor pairing with the pomegranate molasses.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Ingredients on a white marble countertop.

    cabbage - this recipe works best with green cabbage. It provides a large enough surface with a smaller vein to make rolling the holishkes easiest.

    pomegranate molasses - if you cannot find pomegranate molasses, you can cook down pomegranate juice until it forms a syrup.

    oil - any flavorless oil works great in this recipe like canola, sunflower seed, safflower, avocado seed.

    rice - I like to use basmati rice in this recipe. The long, thin grains add the right texture.

    How to Make this Recipe

    Fill a very large stockpot (that fits the cabbage) half full with water and bring to a rapid boil. In the meantime, make deep cuts around the core of the large cabbage in a cone shape so you can remove the core.

    Core cut out of a green cabbage.

    Int he meantime, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Cook the union until translucent. Season with turmeric.

    Turn the heat to low and add the washed rice and ¾ cup of water. Cover and cook for 5-8 minutes until the water is mostly absorbed, then remove it from the heat by adding it to a large bowl.

    Steaming yellow rice.

    While the rice cools, add the cabbage to the boiling water. Boil for 1-2 minutes, then remove 1-2 layers of leaves. Place the cabbage back into the water and repeat until you have 8 large, untorn leaves.

    Remove the rest of the cabbage from the water and set it aside to use in another recipe or shred it and place it in the bottom of the dutch oven in this recipe.

    Peeling cooked green cabbage.

    Preheat the oven to 300F.

    Add the ground lamb, salt, and pepper to the bowl of rice. Mix the contents well. This is the filling. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.

    Split the filling into 8 portions. Stuff each large cabbage leaf with one filling portion by forming it into a log, placing it in the center of the leaf, and rolling it very tightly along the spine, closing both sides by tucking them in with your fingers like a burrito or egg roll. The spine should be vertical in the center of roll.

    Steps to roll cabbage around filling.

    Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, water, and prunes to your large dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add the cabbage rolls in one layer, open seam side down.

    Cabbage rolls in red sauce with onions.

    Cover and bake for 2 hours. Reheats well, too!

    Slow cooker instructions: simply cover and turn on high for 2 ½-3 hours. Reheats well in the slow cooker, too!

    Stuffed Cabbage Rolls FAQs

    Can you freeze them?

    You may think cabbage isn't a good candidate for freezing, but these holishkes actually freeze very well. They just take a few extra steps. Allow them to cool completely, then lay them seam side down and wrap tightly or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate them to cool even further, before transferring to the freezer. Cabbage holds a lot of water so cooling them down slowly is essential for the best freeze.

    Why do we eat them during Simchat Torah?

    On Simchat Torah, stuffed cabbage rolls side by side symbolize Torah scrolls. The holiday comes at the end of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret, the end of the cycle of Torah readings. It marks the start of a new cycle. The holishkes can also symbolize a plentiful harvest.

    What do you serve with holishkes?

    Holishkes are usually served with something to dip in the sauce like challah, and are great with a side salad. Serving them with matzo ball soup as an appetizer is always a crowd-pleaser.

    Three cabbage rolls on an oval plate.

    Related Recipes

    There are plenty of recipes on the blog for the Jewish holidays, and here are some of my favorites. Plus, a few other recipes I think you'll love.

    • Braised Brisket in Red Wine & Honey
    • Matzo Ball Soup
    • Khoresh e Beh (Persian Quince & Plum Stew)
    • Dolmeh Felfel | Persian Stuffed Peppers

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Three cabbage rolls on an oval plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Holishkes

    This is not your average holishke recipe, this one is very special. Just in time for Simchat Torah, Holishkes are enjoyed during the holiday that celebrates Torah scrolls... with little stuffed cabbage sc-rolls to represent them.
    This is the version we make at home. I use one of my favorite Persian stew bases and delicious dolmeh filling to create these holishkes. The combination of flavors is so wonderful, you'll make all your holishkes like this from now on!
    Prep Time35 mins
    Total Time2 hrs 35 mins
    Course: Main, Main Course
    Cuisine: Jewish, Persian, polish
    Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 670kcal
    Author: Candice

    Ingredients

    • 1  lb. ground lamb beef, turkey, or chicken
    • 2 tablespoon oil canola or other flavorless oil
    • 1 cup finely chopped onion
    • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • ¾ cup basmati rice
    • ¾ cup water
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 head of green cabbage
    • 16 oz. tomato sauce
    • 3 oz. tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses sub. with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar during Passover
    • 1 cup water can fill tomato sauce can half way
    • 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
    • 5 prunes optional

    Instructions

    • Fill a very large stockpot (that fits the cabbage) half full with water and bring to a rapid boil.
    • In the meantime, make deep cuts around the core of the large cabbage in a cone shape so you can remove the core.
    • Then, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Cook the union until translucent. Season with turmeric.
    • Turn the heat to low and add the washed rice and ¾ cup of water. Cover and cook for 5-8 minutes until the water is mostly absorbed, then remove it from the heat by adding it to a large bowl.
    • While the rice cools, add the cabbage to the boiling water. Boil for 1-2 minutes, then remove 1-2 layers of leaves. Place the cabbage back into the water and repeat until you have 8 large, untorn leaves.
    • Remove the rest of the cabbage from the water and set it aside to use in another recipe or shred it and place it in the bottom of the dutch oven in this recipe.
    • Preheat the oven to 300F.
    • Add the ground lamb, salt, and pepper to the bowl of rice. Mix the contents well. This is the filling. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.
    • Split the filling into 8 portions. Stuff each large cabbage leaf with one filling portion by forming it into a log, placing it in the center of the leaf, and rolling it very tightly along the spine, closing both sides by tucking them in with your fingers like a burrito or egg roll. The spine should be vertical in the center of roll.
    • Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, water, and prunes to your large dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add the cabbage rolls in one layer, open seam side down. Top with the finely sliced onion.
    • Cover and bake for 2 hours. Reheats well, too!

    Video

    Notes

    You can make this recipe in a slow cooker. Simply cover and turn on high for 2 ½-3 hours. Reheats well in the slow cooker, too!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 670kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1462mg | Potassium: 1426mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 1138IU | Vitamin C: 99mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 5mg
    Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.

    This post was originally published in September of 2017 but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, FAQs, and tips in September of 2021.

    « Lavender Shortbread Cookies Dipped in Matcha
    Hermosa Beach House »
    96 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Salima

      September 28, 2021 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      Ok my mouth is officially watering. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
      • Candice

        September 29, 2021 at 10:21 am

        Awww yay!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Woman with a flower.

    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE
    • TikTok
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Spring Recipes

    • 9 Nowruz Recipes & The Ultimate Guide to the Persian New Year
    • Noon Berenji - Cardamom Rose Cookies
    • Saffron Cod - Mahi ba Zafferan
    • Kuku Sabzi

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Persimmon Bread & Baking with Persimmons
    • Dalgona Matcha Latte
    • Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
    • Quick & Easy Steak Taco Recipe

    Woman with a flower.

    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE
    • TikTok
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Spring Recipes

    • 4 Ways to Make a Matcha Latte without a Whisk
    • Saffron Bamieh
    • Doogh
    • Matcha Lace Cookies (like Florentines)

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Easy Homemade Gnocchi
    • Pasta Puttanesca
    • Cardamom Krumkake with Mascarpone Filling
    • Cranberry Orange Scones

    Footer

    ^ back to top


    • TikTok
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Proportional Plate LLC Accessibility Statement
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    © 2023 Proportional Plate LLC

    96 shares