dolma

grape-leaf dolmas

dolma, in Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine, any of various stuffed vegetable dishes—notably, the young leaves of the grapevine stuffed with a lemon-flavoured mixture of rice, onion, and, frequently, ground lamb. Although dolmas are usually eaten cold as an appetizer, Greek dolmades with lamb are served hot as a main course with an avgolémono sauce of egg yolks and lemon juice. Other vegetables such as zucchini, green peppers, cabbage, and onions are similarly prepared.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.