vine leaves
Ed
truederbyfan@hotmail.com
10/15/02 		Wheree can i buy Vine leaves on-line in the UK?
ellen
ellenskitchen2017@gmail.com
10/16/02 		Hi, Ed,

We don't get the same search engine reults in the US that you would for an online searech in the UK. Here are a couple of hints for your search.

Mezzetta brand and Krinos brand grape leaves are two reliable brands made in Greece and imported to the USA. Thanks to the EU, you should be able to find them in your country as well- suggest you look at ethnic and Middle eastern markets locally as well, you may not have to order them online.Good luck and keep on cooking- ellen

sheryl
fiannagirl@aol.com
12/05/02 		Dear Ellen,

We grow grapes in the back yard. Is there anything I need to do to the grape leaves in order to cook with them (besides wash them off, of course)? And is there a time of the season that's better to pick them for cooking use? I've also heard that some varieties can be mushy when cooked - know anything about that? Just seems a waste to let them all dry out every summer... Thanks. (Great website!)

ellen
ellenskitchen2017@gmail.com
12/06/02 		Hi, Sheryl,

You may notice in the faqs on Dolmas, it gives a lot of info on preserving fresh leaves by casnning or freezing-

Also, many pickle recipes are improved by adding a grapeleaf or two on top of the cukes.

Tender, midsize leaves, picked in the morning are what you want for your home-preserved leaves. Look for the ones that are not on the top where they tend to get a little tougher and sunburned.

Hope this helps- Ellen

Roberta

04/27/05 		Since you're interested in grape leaves, I'm wondering if you know anything about vitamins and minerals, etc., in grape leaves. I put this question out on this website a few weeks ago but have not received any answers except from Ellen, who is also in the dark.
Roberta

04/27/05 		Found Grape Leaf Nutrients!
I found an extensive list of grape leaf nutrients at the following site:

http://www.food-data.com/food/Grape_leaves_raw94.html

jaleelee
jflier1@comcast.net
06/10/05 		I remember my mother preserving grape leaves by sprinkling with salt and putting in a crock. They lasted all year. Have any of you done this? I have a grape vine in my back yard and would like to do this.

Have tried the freezing but this was not satisfactory.

Thanks

james
jamsie75@gmail.com
06/22/05 		How can i preserve vine leaves and where can i buy them fresh in london?
ellen

06/22/05 		James, go read the article on preserving and stuffing vine leaves on this site, and the second question on this thread is how to get vine leaves in the UK.
Dawn
browneyeiii@starpower.net
07/24/05 		I was searching for preserving grapes and found good information thru: www.dogpile.com search. I entered: how to preserve grape leaves. It gave me needed info. at one site I think was called mexican food-----. the recipe used a salt brine and was easy to do. If
Peter
shepherd@sover.net
08/23/05 		8/23/05
Here in Vermont USA a good grape vine summer; lots of rain and heat. We have many young and tender-looking leaves which I would like to preserve. Salting a little dangerous for me. (74) Going the dogpile route The hope for some chicken or vegan-ish uses. Hunt for recipes after dogpile. Thanks for this interesting discussion.
Kathy
ka6thyngus2000@yahoo.com
08/24/05 		Can I put a just cooked pot of stuffed grape leaves in thr frig

?

ellen

08/25/05 		Yes, definitely. The quicker they are chilled, the longer thay will last.
gayle
07/01/06 		I picked grape leaves today and blanched them. How do I freeze them- is there any special preparation?
ellen
07/03/06 		Hi,
Check the freezing dircetions in the recipe- several options.
Denise
08/31/06 		I am living in Manchester and am trying to buy vine leaves either online or at a shop. The only ones I could find were already stuffed.

Unfortunately this has proved very difficult.

Could you please let me know if there is anywhere to buy vine leaves locally or even on the internet?

Many thanks.

ellen
08/31/06 		Hi, Denise,
The places that sell stuffed grape leaves can probably order the plain grape leaves in a jar. The university of Nottingham does research on grape leaves, so someone there will know how to get the fresh ones.
Greek groceries and Middle Eastern groceries are the likely sources.
Unfortunately, I can't do a search for UK internet sources- my search engines pull up US sources, since I am Texas.
Peter
09/03/06 		Tesco sell Cypressa Vine Leaves in Salted Water, 250g for £0.49
diane
09/18/06 		Dear Ellen

I would like to find out if there is a specific variety of grape vine leaf to preserve or can you use any vine leaf?

ellen
09/18/06 		Hi, Diane,

Any grape leaf as long as it is young, tender and not fuzzy- discussion on the grape vine leaf page.

janet
10/14/06 		can red vine leaves be used to make dolmades with?
ellen
10/14/06 		I am not familiar with red vine leaves- tell me more.
michelle
04/22/07 		I am looking to buy the grape leaf vine it's self so I can plant it in my back yard. Where do I purchase the seeds or plant needed to do this?
ellen
04/24/07 		You get any grape vine- at a nursery, perhaps?
charlie
05/29/07 		hi there, i know secretts farm shop in milford, surrey sell vine leaves in packs as i used to work there! im in nz now but they sold them 6 months ago on the cheese counter.good luck!! charlie.
judy
07/12/07 		Just put up 4 pints grape leaves(thompson sdls),however, about 3/4" brine is gone after 10 min.boiling bath. Problem???? All looks good for now. Lids sealed fine. Your instructions were great. Thx.
ellen
07/13/07 		If the leaves have emerged above the brine, they will not keep as well, and I would go ahead and use them first. I would also probably pressure can- vine leaves are not acidic, need the higher temp.
Edith
07/28/07 		Hi Denise,
Vine leaves and other middle eastern foods products are pleantiful in areas of South Manchester such as Rushholme, Fallowfield, Levenshulme and Longsight.

If you have a garden, vines grow very well here, plenty of leaves but tiny bunches of grapes.

Regards
Edith

Suzi
08/13/07 		Hello
I suff my leaves with rice, nuts, parsley, mint, shallots and green onions. I want to know if I can cook the stuffed leaves and them freeze them or should I stuff them and freeze them to cook later?

thanks so much, Suzi

ellen
08/14/07 		Stuff, cook, freeze. But be very careful not to overcook, and freeze in serving size packages.
Jyoti
01/26/08 		I just bought a huge can of stuffed vine leaves (stuffed with rice)from the local grocery store. I've opened it and there's a lot! The can does not indicate how I should store them. If I refrigerate them, won't the rice become hard? Can you please advise?
ellen
01/26/08 		You should refrigerate immediately. I put them in serving size cotainers, cover with a good coating of olive oil and close the contatiner. They will keep a week or two if they are not brough out and repeatedly exposed to room temperature.
Ellen
02/20/08 		Stuff the grape leaves and freeze them uncooked in the pot you are going to cook them in. Day before when ready to use, remove from freezer, place a little water in pot, just barely to the top, cover with an oven-safe dish (keeps them from moving while cooking) and lid and cook for about one hour. Buy the book "Come Into My Kitchen" from Xlibris.com and you will learn all about grape leaves, how to grow, cook, preserve and serve...great book on middle eastern cooking, etc.
Michelle Smith
06/22/08 		Is there any other kind of edible leaf a person can use? I saw someone on T.V. making a stuffed recipe with extremely large leaves and I don't think they were grape leaves. They were almost as big as a dinner plate. I want to use them in place of tortillas as I have to watch my carb intake. I think they were purple but that could be a false memory.
Lauren
06/22/08 		Yes an alternative leaf is a cabbage leaf, quite tasty too.
ellen
06/22/08 		Yes, and you can use romaine or large iceberg leaves for wrapping tacos, fajitas, etc, too.
Ferah M.
08/13/08 		Hello, I'm just interested to know whether or not it is possible to plant a chord of grape leaves that have been pulled from the ground (root included). Can leaves be drafted??
ellen
08/13/08 		Hmm. Roots and all, it should be possible, but you might want to go to a grape-growing site for solid info. All grape leaves can be used for stuffing. Guidelines in the article on this site.
ellen
08/13/08 		Hmm. Roots and all, it should be possible, but you might want to go to a grape-growing site for solid info. All grape leaves can be used for stuffing. Guidelines in the article on this site.
Elaine
08/22/08 		Is it OK to use wild grapevine leaves?
ellen
12/01/08 		Perfectly safe if you are sure they have not been sprayed. The fuzzy ones aren't too tasty.
Bev
03/29/10 		I wanted to grow my own grape leaves, but I'm having trouble finding the seeds in the nurseries here. I live in Sierra Vista, Az. I'm wondering how well they will grow in this type of environment and where I can purchase them (online).
ellen
03/29/10 		These are not grown from seeds, because the root stock has to be disease resistant and that stock doesn't grow good grapes. So they are sold grafted. You can order by mail, they do fine in the mail. Don't know about growth in Arizona, check your local garden club.
ellen
03/29/10 		Are you near Phoenix? Check this:
www.phoenixtropicals.com/grapes.html
Bev
03/29/10 		I'm not near Phoenix. I live 3 hours south of it. Where could I purchase it online, so that I may grow them in my backyard? If possible...
susie
05/25/10 		can you send me the e-mail address of the university of nottingham ? im looking to bye fresh grapeleafs also. cant find near me. or anyone out there who grows graepleafs in there back yards or farmers. whoes willing to part with some. pleasr send me e-mail if you can make this happen? thank you susie.
ellen
05/25/10 		Susie, look this up in a local online search. USA and UK search engines don't give the same results for searches.
SHAH
06/15/10 		I have used ready stuffed vine leaves. Do we need to rinse them in cold water? I have cooked without rinsing and the brine is too acidic - sharp. Please suggest how to use ready tinned stuffed vine leaves.
ellen
06/15/10 		Different brands have more or less lemon and citric acid, which give the tang, so first try some different brands; I like Aegean and California Garden. The ones I get do NOT need cooking- they are canned.

If you can only get one brand, and it is too sharp, put them in a colander and rinse quickly under cold running water.

SHAH
06/16/10 		Ellen, You are right they dont need cooking. I bought Stuffed with rice, made a curry by adding onions, garlic and other spices and using a bit of oil. Tastes good - its the citric acid which was very sharp. Next time I will rinse and make. Thanks a lot.
Sara
01/09/11 		Jaleelee, I had an old recipe for preserving grape leaves by layering them with coarse salt in a crock and covering them with a lid. I just was looking for that recipe and I saw your comment which makes me want to try it. I lost the recipe evidently, but I remember it being exactly as you describe it. The process was so much simpler than the blanch and brine process I have seen in other recipes.
Did you ever find anyone who tried this method?
ellen
01/09/11 		Sara, if you try to do this, be sure you use pickling salt.
Diane
09/06/11 		Chicken Haddie
Hi Ellen

Do you know what the ingredients are to prepare Chicken Haddie that we used to buy in the cans?

ellen
09/06/11 		Asked and answered 9/2/11