Stock for dolma for the whole winter or how to freeze grape leaves:

Dolma - a delicious southern dish, like cabbage rolls. One of the main features - the filling is not wrapped in cabbage, but in grape leaves. Such a delicacy is not sold in every store. However, if at least a couple of vines grow on the plot, dolma can be enjoyed all year. It is enough to freeze the leaves for dolma. So that they do not break in the freezer and do not lose taste after thawing, you need to choose the right raw materials, roll the rolls, and later defrost them gradually.

Key actions

There are several actions that can help preserve the taste, healthy vitamins and, most importantly, the integrity of the leaves in the freezer and during thawing. These actions are:

• leaf selection;
• flushing, trimming;
• drying;
• folding.

Leaf collection should be scheduled for late spring or early summer. Juicy vine branches are formed precisely in this period of time. Leaves of medium size should be collected, which are 5-7 leaves from the beginning of the branch. They should not have yellow marks, white coating, traces of insects.

Important
You can not collect plants from wild (decorative) grapes or from plants near the highway. The first type is dangerous for its harmful substances, like overripe leaves of grapes, and the second accumulates in itself all machine waste, which also negatively affects health.

Rinse and trim

The selected leaves must be washed, get rid of dust, residue of fertilizers or pesticides. It is strictly forbidden to send plates under the tap - they are easy to bend or break.

How to wash grape leaves:

1. Draw water into a basin, sink, or large salad bowl.
2. Drown the leaves without crushing. They should swim without interfering with each other.
3. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. This will not only wash the dirt, but also stretch out possible residues of nitrates or other undesirable salts.

Now the leaves are not so fragile, they are plastic. Gently take them out and lay them on a gauze or towel somewhere in the shade. After a couple of minutes, start trimming.

Cuttings are not suitable for food - so cut them and discard. If the pieces are the same size, fold them in a stack. It will be faster, but there is a chance to damage the leaves. purityis.decorexpro.com/en/ magazine recommends keeping leaflets in 2, maximum 3.

Drying

Lay a paper, cotton or linen towel, lay out the sheets and wait 20-40 minutes (depending on their size). This is done so that the freezing is faster, and the plates do not collapse in the process.

Folding and freezing

Rolls for dolma consist of 10-20 grape leaves. You need to work with them extremely carefully, otherwise the plates will crack.

Tools: cling film or tight bags, containers suitable for freezing.

Operating procedure:

1. Fold the leaves in bags and refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Cooling will return plasticity to the leaves.
2. Roll up rolls and cover with cling film.
3. Put finished rolls back in the refrigerator.
4. When all the leaves run out, transfer the cooled rolls to the pallet and to the freezer. Place them in one layer so as not to wrinkle.
5. After 4 hours, put the icy rolls in a container, and on pallets, move a new portion from the refrigerator. And so - with all the blanks. This will allow the rolls not to wrinkle and not stick together.

Important
Carry out the first freezing in the lower section of the freezer or at a temperature below –20 degrees. Such extreme cold is not needed for storage; standard -18 is enough.

Shelf life and defrost

Shelf life of products - no more than 6 months.Leaves can be used in various recipes. It is enough to defrost them correctly.

Do this in three ways:

1. Remove from the freezer the desired number of rolls and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
2. Leave at room temperature - it will take no more than 2 hours to completely thaw.
3. Put the ice rolls in a container and let stand in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Then immerse the container in hot for several minutes or pour boiling water over the container. So the leaves will defrost much faster and will not lose beneficial vitamins.

Bonus: Delicious Dolma Recipe

To prepare ten servings (if you have 10 leaves for each roll) you will need:

• 700 grams of minced meat (preferably pork, as it does not have a special smell);
• 1.5 cups of water for minced meat (peeled);
• 1 onion;
• 100 grams of sour cream (15 or 20%);
• 2 cups of broth (vegetable or meat);
• salt, spices.

Cooking:

1. First of all, you need to unfreeze the leaves - make this one of the methods described above.
2. While thawing the rolls, make the filling. Take the minced meat or scroll it yourself, add salt and spices to taste.
3. Enter water and mix until smooth.
4. Thawed rolls free of cling film and place minced meat in the center so that it fills the tube 2/3.
5. Put a few grape leaves on the bottom of a thick-walled pan, and on top a dolma in several rows.
6. Pour the broth and fix the rolls so that they do not move: press the tipped plate.
7. Bring to a boil and simmer for 40-60 minutes.
8. Add sour cream at the end of cooking.
9. Serve portionwise with sauces to taste.

Grape leaves perfectly tolerate defrosting, do not lose either color or benefit. However, care must be taken to prevent brittle plates from cracking. Otherwise, homemade dolma wrapped in fragrant grape leaves all year round is easy. Cook and eat with pleasure!