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1
To cook the rice, rinse it, place in a small saucepan, and add 2 cups of the water.
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2
Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, and decrease the heat to low.
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3
Cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is plumped, 40 to 45 minutes.
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4
Set aside off the heat with the lid still on and let steam dry for 10 minutes.
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5
To make the stuffing, bring a small saucepan filled with water to a boil over high heat.
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6
Add the onion and dandelion greens and blanch until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes.
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7
Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
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8
Add the rice, walnuts, parsley, tomato paste, salt, and pepper, and knead with your hands until thoroughly blended.
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9
Set aside at room temperature.
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10
To prepare the cabbage leaves, bring a large pot three-fourths full of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
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11
Core the cabbage, place it in the pot, cover, and cook until the outer leaves are quite wilted, 15 to 20 minutes.
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12
Transfer the cabbage to a colander and set aside until cool enough to handle.
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13
One at a time, gently pull off the cabbage leaves.
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14
You should have about 12 leaves of varying sizes.
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15
Arrange the leaves, with the inside facing up and the stem end nearest you, on a work surface.
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16
Place about 1/4 cup of the stuffing in the center of each leaf.
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17
Fold up the bottom of the leaf over the stuffing, then fold in the sides and roll up the leaf to make a tight packet.
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18
Arrange the packets, seam sides down, in a single tight layer in a large saucepan.
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19
Pour the remaining 1/3 cup water into the pan around, not over, the packets, and place over high heat.
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20
Bring to a boil, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until the cabbage is very tender, about 25 minutes.
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21
While the packets are cooking, make the sauce.
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22
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
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23
Add the tomato, garlic, capers, and lemon peel and stir to mix.
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24
Cook until just beginning to boil, then remove from the heat.
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25
Season with salt and set aside until ready to use.
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26
To serve, briefly reheat the sauce if desired.
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27
Arrange the cabbage packets on a platter and spread the sauce across the top.