Vine leaves - where can I get them?

I've been using the ones from the jar from Asda but I don't like them at all. Does anyone use them to make dolma and is there a way to stop the leaves ending up so tough. This never happens when I use them fresh. My relatives normally bring some over when they come but no-one is coming until August.

Vine leaves - where can I get them?
We get ours from the ethnic aisle at tesco's,vacuum packed in brine,you just soak them in boiling water for 20 minutes before rolling them. i cook mine in a steamer for an hour and they turn out fine.
Reply:You are right not as good as fresh but you must pick out the best when using any of the pre-packed vine leaves. To soften them first you must boil a pan of water, open the leaves as they are rolled up in the jar and place them in the boiling water to soften them first. I trust that you are filling them with raw ingredients and cooking the dolmades from scratch, if not then the leaves will stay tough. Any further help you are welcome to contact me. Good luck
Reply:Hmm, I've never tried using fresh leaves for Dolma. We've always just done the jar variety. But I bet, like with anything, fresh leaves are way better. Do you have any vineyards local to you? That would be the most logical place to start looking. Beyond that... maybe a specialty gourmet grocery, or an online shop.



Summers coming, you could always try your hand at growing your own. Good luck!
Reply:I agree with Joe Cool

go to the nursery and buy your own vine or have your folks send you some cuttings Grapes are easy to grow..

Then once you have a strong plant you can graft several variates...
Reply:Go to a greek or turkish store and may be lucky and get them there or any meditaranean store. Happy Cooking.



Love to have your recipe as bet fantastic.
Reply:I thought you could buy them in tins. Why not use cabbage leaves instead? I know people who have done that and they were delicious.
Reply:They grow on the side of a vine .
Reply:On a Grapevine.