umpluturi

Umpluturi is a Romanian term for fillings used to stuff other ingredients in cooking. The plural form umpluturi denotes multiple fillings, while a singular form refers to a single filling. Umpluturi encompasses savory mixtures used to stuff vegetables, dumplings, and pastries, as well as sweet fillings used in cakes and pastries. The concept is common in Romanian and Moldovan cuisine and appears in both everyday meals and festive dishes.

Savory fillings typically combine ground meat (often pork or a mix of pork and beef) with rice or barley, onion, garlic, and herbs such as dill and parsley. They may also include mushrooms, cheese, eggs, or chopped vegetables like peppers. Sweet fillings may use ground or chopped walnuts or poppy seeds with sugar or honey, along with cinnamon and lemon zest, or fruit-based mixtures for pastries and dolmades-like dishes.

Preparation generally involves mixing the chosen ingredients until cohesive, with some fillings partially pre-cooked or parboiled depending on the recipe. The filling is then placed inside cabbage leaves, peppers, grape leaves, dough, or pastry, after which the dish is cooked by baking, steaming, simmering, or frying.

Umpluturi show regional variation and culinary adaptation, reflecting local ingredients and traditions. They serve as a practical method to extend meat and cereals, and their formulations range from hearty, savory fillings to delicate, sweet ones used in traditional pastries.