Christmas Eve Cabbage Leaves

This dish comes from the Val Taro area in the province of Parma where it is eaten on Christmas Eve. As it is a magro (lean) dish containing no meat, it is suitable for such important holy days. I don’t know why one is supposed to make exactly 27 of these on Christmas Eve. However, it is part of the local tradition; and around Christmas time all local traditions, including the pagan ones, are upheld. Serve it for lunch or supper with a tomato salad.