Pork-stuffed sauerkraut rolls recipe (arambasici)

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add pancetta and onion, and cook for 3 minutes or until onion has softened. Cool.

Place pancetta and onion in a large bowl with minced beef and pork, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, zest and egg. Season with salt and pepper. Knead until combined. Set aside.

Separate 24 leaves from sauerkraut; halve any large leaves. Using scissors, cut a V-shape into each outer leaf to remove tough centre rib.

Working in batches, place leaves flat on a work surface. Place 2 tbsp filling at one end of leaf, fold in sides and roll up tightly.

Scatter base of a large saucepan with lard, then cover with any remaining cabbage leaves, reserving 4 leaves. Layer stuffed cabbage rolls on top, placing pork ribs between layers. Place reserved 4 leaves on top, then place an upturned plate over the cabbage rolls to prevent rolls unravelling during cooking.

Pour in enough water to cover rolls. Place over high heat and bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and cook for 3 hours or until rolls are tender.

Stand in cooking liquid for 1 hour, then transfer rolls to a plate. Serve scattered with chopped parsley.

* Heads of sauerkraut are sold cryovacked in selected delis and Eastern European food shops. To make your own, see box, left.

* Smoked pork ribs are from selected delis. Ask your butcher to cut them in half for you.

Drink 2010 Matosevic Malvazija Istarska ‘Alba’, Istria, Croatia As seen in Feast Magazine, Issue 13, pg93.

Photography by Derek Swalwell