Description
This Romanian Slow Roasted Caramelized Cabbage is a flavorful, hearty dish that combines fresh cabbage, sauerkraut, and a medley of aromatic vegetables and spices. Slow roasting enhances the natural sweetness and develops deep caramelized flavors, making it a comforting and rustic side or main dish reflecting traditional Eastern European cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- ½ head cabbage, sliced into thin strips
- 500 grams sauerkraut, well drained
- 7 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 3 yellow onions, finely diced (or substitute other onions)
- 8 cloves garlic, sliced
Spices & Herbs
- 1 tablespoon red chilli pepper with seeds, sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon dried summer savory (or substitute dried thyme)
- 1.5 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 handful fresh thyme (or substitute dried thyme or more dried summer savory)
Oils & Others
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Choose a large roasting pan or casserole dish suitable for slow roasting.
- Mix Vegetables with Spices: In a large bowl, combine the sliced cabbage, drained sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, sliced carrot, diced onions, sliced garlic, and thinly sliced red chilli pepper. Add the smoked paprika, dried summer savory or thyme, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, and fresh or dried thyme.
- Add Oil and Toss: Pour the vegetable oil over the mixture and toss everything thoroughly until the vegetables are evenly coated with the oil and spices.
- Arrange in Pan: Transfer the mixture evenly into the roasting pan or casserole dish, spreading it out to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
- Slow Roast: Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast slowly for 3 to 4 hours, stirring gently every 45 minutes to 1 hour to promote even caramelization and prevent sticking. The vegetables should become tender, with the cabbage and onions caramelized to a golden brown.
- Final Check and Serve: After roasting, remove the bay leaves, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve warm as a flavorful side or main dish. The slow roasting process melds all the flavors beautifully, providing a rich and slightly tangy taste from the sauerkraut balanced by the sweetness of the caramelized vegetables.
Notes
- Ensure the sauerkraut is well drained to avoid excess moisture which can hinder caramelization.
- Stir gently during roasting to maintain the texture and encourage even caramelization without breaking down the vegetables too much.
- You can substitute summer savory with thyme for a similar herbaceous flavor.
- Adjust the chili pepper amount depending on your preferred spice level.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or as a hearty vegetarian option on its own.
- Use a sturdy roasting pan that can handle long cooking times without drying out.
Keywords: Romanian cabbage recipe, slow roasted cabbage, caramelized cabbage, sauerkraut recipe, vegetable roast, smoky paprika dish