Open a jar of grape leaves and place them in a big bowl. Cover with water and soak them overnight. Place the grape leaves in a colander, rinse with cold water, and squeeze well.  .

Prepare the Rice Stuffing: Soak rice in boiling water for an hour. Heat the olive oil and fry the onion until golden. Strain the rice and add onion, sunflower seeds, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

 3. To roll the leaves: Place the grape leaf, shining side up, on the working surface. Cut off the little stem. Place a small amount of the rice stuffing in the middle, right above the cut stem. Don’t put too much since the rice expands while cooked. Fold the left side in to the center. Follow with the right. Roll the leaf up, folding the sides as you roll.  

Line a large pot with slices of carrots, dry apricot, and prunes.

Arrange the grape leaves over the fruit very close to eachother. If there is more than one layer of grape leaves, add sliced carrots, dried apricot, and prunes between layers.

Prepare Tamarind Sauce: Combine tamarind extract, oil and water. Pour over the grape leaves to cover.

Bring to a boil and cook on low heat for an hour.

Preheat oven to 212°F. Cook the pot of grape leaves inside the oven 3-4 hours until they are soft. Serve hot.