This is the best Way to Cook Cabbage this Spring! Crispy Upside-Down Vegan Pie
This is the best Way to Cook Cabbage this Spring! Crispy Upside-Down Vegan Pie is a medium Albanian recipe that serves 4. 460 calories per serving. Recipe by We Cook Vegan on YouTube.
Prep: 25 min | Cook: 40 min | Total: 1 hr 20 min
Cost: $20.44 total, $5.11 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 medium Lotus Root (peeled and sliced 1 cm (3/8 in) thick)
- 3/4 cup Cashews (raw, unsalted (about 100 g))
- 3/4 cup Green Peas (fresh or frozen, shelled (about 120 g))
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Water (for boiling and blending)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (extra‑virgin)
- 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Pomegranate Syrup (or maple/agave syrup)
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp White Miso Paste
- ½ tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry Sheet (store‑bought, thawed (≈250 g))
Instructions
Slice the lotus root
Peel the lotus root and cut it into 1 cm (3/8 in) thick rounds using a sharp chef's knife on a cutting board.
Time: PT5M
Boil the filling ingredients
In a saucepan combine the cashews, green peas, minced garlic and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3–5 minutes until the peas are tender.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 100°C
Drain and set aside
Drain the mixture in a fine‑mesh sieve, reserving a splash of cooking water for later blending.
Time: PT2M
Blend the filling
Place the drained cashews and peas in a blender. Add miso paste, nutritional yeast, the reserved hot water, and blend until a smooth, creamy mass forms. If too thick, add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time.
Time: PT5M
Prepare the baking sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pomegranate syrup over the parchment. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt.
Time: PT2M
Arrange lotus root slices
Lay the lotus root rounds in a single layer on the prepared parchment, leaving a small gap between each slice.
Time: PT3M
Spread the pea‑cashew mixture
Using a spatula, spoon the blended mixture over each lotus root slice, covering them completely.
Time: PT3M
Prepare the puff pastry
On a lightly floured surface roll out the puff pastry sheet to about 3 mm thickness. Using a round cutter (≈10 cm diameter) cut a circle. Prick the surface all over with a fork to allow steam to escape.
Time: PT5M
Encase the lotus root
Place the pastry circle over the arranged lotus root slices. Gently fold the edges of the pastry down over the sides, sealing the perimeter. Press lightly to adhere.
Time: PT5M
Bake
Transfer the sheet to a pre‑heated oven and bake at 190°C (370°F) for 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the lotus root edges are crisp.
Time: PT40M
Temperature: 190°C
Cool and serve
Remove from the oven and let the byrek rest on the sheet for 5–10 minutes. Then carefully invert onto a serving plate so the caramelized lotus root side is on top.
Time: PT10M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 460
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 6 g
Dietary info: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy‑Free, Egg‑Free
Allergens: Tree nuts (cashews), Gluten (regular puff pastry)
Last updated: March 13, 2026








