Please enter the email you’re using for this account.
A delicious appetizer that yields a lot of servings, freezes well, and has a choice of two different sauces to choose from – one with strong sweet-and-sour tones and one with a milder, fruit-flavored sauce. You can use one kind of deli or two, as I did. When I served this on Purim, it was popular with all ages. My family and guests asked for doubles instead of the main course!
18 ounces (450–500 grams) turkey pastrami (use any variety you like)
2 pounds (1 kilogram) ground veal or turkey
8 ounces (227 grams) Gefen Tomato Sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup Gefen Bread Crumbs
2 eggs
3 tablespoons oil
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons mustard
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup apricot or peach nectar
1 tablespoon Haddar Dijon Mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Gefen Pure Maple Syrup
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all main ingredients except deli. Mix well.
Place a slice of deli (I used both square and round, but rolled up they look the same) on a flat surface. Put two tablespoons of the meat mixture in the center of the deli slice, forming it into a log. Bring both ends of the deli together until they meet. Carefully, turn seam-side down and place in a large pan lined with Gefen Parchment Paper. Continue until all the filling is used up, lining up the cigars closely together.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) while preparing the sauce.
Combine all sauce ingredients (for either sauce #1 or sauce #2) in a small saucepan. Heat for a few minutes over a low flame, whisking together.
Pour over pastrami cigars. Cover and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve over rice or sweet potato puree.
Yields approximately 30 cigars.
Photography: Daniel Lailah. Food Styling: Noa Kanarek.
How Would You
Rate this recipe?
When leaving comments on kosher.com we ask that you be respectful, appropriate, and stay on topic. Click here to read our full comment policy.
Kosher.com Commenting Guidelines
We love hearing from our community! Constructive feedback, tips, questions, and friendly engagement are encouraged.
By commenting on Kosher.com, you agree to follow these guidelines. Please note that comments are for community discussion only and should not be considered halachic guidance—always check with your own Rabbi or LOR.
1. Be Respectful
2. Keep It Appropriate
3. Protect Privacy
4. Stay On Topic
5. Moderation
Can I cook this on stove
pastrami cigars Can I use ground beef instead of the ground veal or turkey?
For sure Ashira, although you might have to increase cooking time since veal cooks faster.
+Freezing ahead Can I do it now and freeze it for yt?
I would freeze them raw and then fry fresh.
this recipe is a true 5 star!!!!!! My kids were begging for more!! they all had licked out plates!!!
Family favorite! this is a favorite appetizer on yom tov in my home.
i freeze it raw – and then bake right before yomtov.
I use dark ground chicken instead of veal or turkey. I also do 1 and a half times the sauce #1.
Yum!