Equipment
Ingredients
Cabbage Base
- 1 savoy cabbage, whole, cored
- 300 ml vegetable broth
Pkhali Filling
- 300 g walnuts, toasted and cooled
- 300 g yellow onion, finely diced
- 30 ml olive oil
- 15 g garlic, peeled
- 30 ml white wine vinegar
- 20 g fresh dill, finely chopped
- 20 g fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 5 g ground coriander
- 3 g blue fenugreek
- 8 g kosher salt
- 2 g black pepper, freshly ground
Garnish
- 150 g sour cream, chilled
- 5 g fresh dill, chopped
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 248 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbohydrates
- 12 g
- Fat
- 21 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 364 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 3 g
- Trans Fat
- 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 5 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 12 g
- Cholesterol
- 7 mg
- Potassium
- 379 mg
- Calcium
- 83 mg
- Iron
- 1.6 mg
- Magnesium
- 69 mg
- Phosphorus
- 143 mg
- Zinc
- 1.1 mg
- Vitamin A
- 72 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 30 mg
- Vitamin E
- 0.7 mg
- Vitamin K
- 82 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.3 mg
- Vitamin B12
- 0.0 mcg
- Thiamin
- 0.16 mg
- Riboflavin
- 0.10 mg
- Niacin
- 0.7 mg
- Folate
- 96 mcg
- Water
- 132 g
Sources: USDA FoodData Central
Method
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Using a paring knife, remove the tough core from the bottom of the savoy cabbage, then carefully submerge the entire head into the boiling water.
Blanch the cabbage head in the boiling water. As the outer leaves soften and loosen, carefully peel them away using tongs and transfer them to a bowl of ice water. Drain the leaves and use a small knife to trim down the thick central vein on each leaf so they lie flat and roll easily.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply translucent and lightly caramelized.
In a food processor, combine the toasted walnuts, garlic cloves, white wine vinegar, ground coriander, and blue fenugreek. Pulse several times until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Do not over-process into a smooth butter.
Transfer the walnut mixture to a large bowl. Add the sauteed onions, chopped dill, chopped parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the filling forms a cohesive mass.
Lay a prepared savoy cabbage leaf flat on a work surface. Place about 45g of the walnut filling near the base of the leaf. Fold the left and right edges inward over the filling, then roll tightly away from you to create a secure, cylindrical packet. Repeat to form 12 rolls.
Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls snugly, seam-side down, in a lightly oiled casserole dish. Pour the vegetable broth evenly over the top of the rolls.
Cover the casserole dish tightly with an oven-safe lid or aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes, allowing the cabbage to tenderize fully while absorbing the spiced flavors and broth.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Serve the warm rolls topped with a generous dollop of cold sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Chef's Notes
- Toasting the walnuts lightly before blending is crucial; it deepens the earthy, savory profile of the pkhali filling and removes any raw, bitter notes from the nuts.
- Blue fenugreek (utskho suneli) is a signature Georgian spice that imparts a mild, nutty aroma completely distinct from standard fenugreek. Sourcing it will dramatically elevate the authenticity of the flavor profile.
- Pkhali relies heavily on a sharp acidic element for balance. The white wine vinegar cuts through the intense richness of the walnuts and oil, so ensure you measure it accurately.
- Like many braised cabbage dishes, these rolls develop deeper, more harmonious flavors as they sit. They make an exceptional make-ahead meal and taste even better the next day.
Storage
Refrigerator: 4 days — Store in an airtight container. The flavors deepen after a day in the fridge.
Freezer: 2 months — Freeze baked rolls in any remaining braising liquid in a tightly sealed container.
Reheating: Reheat in a 175°C (350°F) oven for 20 minutes until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals.
Troubleshooting
Cabbage leaves tear easily when attempting to roll them
Cause: Leaves were not blanched long enough or the thick central vein was not adequately trimmed
Fix: Overlap two partially torn leaves to create a single sturdy wrapper for the filling
Prevention: Ensure leaves are completely limp after blanching and carefully shave down the raised rib on the outer edge of each leaf
Filling is crumbly and falls out when eating
Cause: Walnuts were chopped too coarsely or onions were not cooked long enough to provide moisture
Fix: Cannot be fixed after baking, but serve in bowls so diners can easily scoop up the filling
Prevention: Process walnuts until they hold together when pinched, and ensure onions are very soft before mixing
Cultural Context
Pkhali is a cornerstone of Georgian feasts (supras), traditionally served as a cold appetizer made from finely minced vegetables bound with a rich, spiced walnut paste. This recipe reimagines the vibrant walnut and herb mixture by wrapping it in tender savoy cabbage leaves, marrying the distinctive flavors of the Caucasus with the comforting warmth of Eastern European golubtsi (stuffed cabbage).
