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Similar Kasha varnishkes, Farfel, Tzimmes, Mandelbrot, Cholent | ||
Holishkes (also holipches or huluptzes) is a traditional Jewish cabbage roll dish. It is often served on Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
Holishkes are prepared from lightly boiled ("blanched") cabbage leaves wrapped in a parcel-like manner around minced meat and then simmered in tomato sauce. Sometimes rice is added to the meat filling.
History
Jews in Russia and Poland adapted holiskhes from a dish served by the Tatars while Jews in Hungary and the Balkans learned it from their Turkish neighbors. Eastern European Jews called it "golub" (dove), because the rolled cabbage in sauce resembled a bird in a nest. The spicing varies by community. Hungarian Jews use a dash of marjoram, Syrians add cinnamon, Persians add dill and mint. As meat was expensive, rice was added to cut down on meat.
While the dish is eaten all year round, it is sometimes served on Sukkot to symbolize a bountiful harvest, and on Simchat Torah because two stuffed cabbage rolls placed side by side resemble Torah scrolls.
