Dolmades with swiss chard, aggourida and quinoa (ντολμαδες με σεσκουλο, αγουριδα και κινοα)

Surprisingly, 'swiss chard' isn't native to Switzerland. It’s homeland is the Mediterranean and it has been a revered vegetable (particularly for its medicinal qualities) since Ancient times. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle wrote about chard in the fourth century B.C. Today, swiss chard continues to be a much loved vegetable on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, where it is known in the local dialect as ‘seskala’. In the rest of Greece it is  referred to as seskolo. The Zantiots prize the flavour of seskala, which is similar to spinach, but with a stronger, more assertive (some think, bitter or earthy) flavour.

The fantastic variety of phytonutrients in seskala is quickly recognizable in its vibrant colours, from the rich dark green leaves to the rainbow of reds, purples and yellows. Sekala is rich in vitamin K, A, C as well as iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. It also has lutein, shown to help with eye health.

Although seskala is available throughout the year, its peak season is in the summer months. In Australia sekala is at its peak from  December to February, when it is at its best and in the greatest abundance.

For those who are not familiar with wrapping and rolling leaves for dolmades, the leaves of the seskala are by far the easiest to use. Big and rich, they do not need much as much time and effort as that which is required for spring time vine leaves.

This recipe is a twist on classic dolmades. I have swapped the more traditional ‘carolina’ white rice for brown basmati rice and added a little extra protein with the addition of quinoa. Instead of the more traditional lemon, I also like to use verjuice, known as ‘aggourida’ in Greek – particularly as lemon season is coming to an end here in Australia, as we head into the summer months.

Dolmades with swiss chard, aggourida and quinoa

(ντολμάδες με σέσκουλο, αγουρίδα και κινόα)

Makes about 40 dolmades, preparation time 30 mins, cooking time 45 mins

Ingredients

About 1kg of seskala

1/4 cup aggourida or verjuice

1/2 cup olive oil (more if needed)

water, as needed (1 or more cups)

Stuffing ingredients

400g ground pork and veal*  

½ cup brown basmati rice

½ cup of white quinoa

2tsp of ‘sparoza’ Mediterranean herb and spice mix

1 & 1/2 tsp salt, as needed

1/2 tsp black pepper

Method

Wash the chard and cut the stems. If you have any large leaves, cut them in two. Layer the leaves in a neat pile and place any torn or damaged leaves in the bottom of the pot you will use to cook the dolmades. (The pot that you use will need to hold the rolled leaves snuggly).

Blanch the leaves in a separate pot of boiling salted water for 1 minute, remove and set aside to drain well in a colander.

Place all the stuffing ingredients in a bowl and use your hands to knead the mixture to combine the flavours well.

Place a 6-8 seskala leaves before you on a work surface and start stuffing the leaves, by placing one spoon of the stuffing mixture in the middle of each leaf. Roll and fold in the sides of each leaf gently. Place each stuffed leaf on top of the leaves in the bottom of the pot – build them up into layers as you go.

Place a small dessert plate on the pot to hold the stuffed leaves in place; mix the olive oil, aggourida and water and pour over the pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 45 minutes or so. Uncover and check to make sure the stuffing is fully cooked. Cool and serve warm.

*during fasting times, you can substitute the meat with more rice and quinoa to make a meat free version.