Winter Grape Leaves (Kışlık Asma)

Wash 1 kg (about 2.2 lb) of fresh grape leaves and remove their stems. Stack 10 leaves on top of each other and blanch them in boiling water for one minute on each side. Repeat this process for the entire kilogram of leaves. After blanching, transfer them to a colander to drain. Once cooled, take 10 leaves at a time, squeeze out the excess water, and place them stacked inside a freezer bag. Repeat this for the remaining leaves. Store in the freezer to use throughout winter. (When ready to use in winter, take out as many as you need, soak them in hot water, and once they open up, you can make any dolma (stuffed vegetable/leaf) you like.)

Pro Tip

If you have leftover leaves after thawing them from the freezer, you can squeeze out the water again and return them to the freezer in the same bag.

Cooking Suggestion

You can prepare as many grape leaves this way as you like.