Varză Călită (Braised Cabbage)

Method

1. 1

   Heat the oil and sweat the diced onion until soft and translucent.

2. 2

   Add the shredded cabbage in handfuls, salting as it collapses and makes room for more.

3. 3

   Stir in the paprika and tomato paste, then add a half-cup of water.

4. 4

   Braise low, lid ajar, 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to catch at the bottom.

5. 5

   Uncover and cook 5 minutes more, scraping up the caught bits, until silky and deeply flavored.

   💡 The slight bottom-catch is flavor — deglaze it into the cabbage at the end.

6. 6

   Finish with dill; serve with sausages, polenta or roast pork.