Hi Jafo,
I have used fresh [variety: scuppernong] grape leaves before from off a vine I had and it worked fine and of course like any green we cook I looked for and used the youngest most tender leaves not the older [tough] ones. But for wrapping you want the bigest tender ones you can find. Give it a try as fresh always trumps over anything preserved!
By the way the grape leaves can be purchased in markets specializing in Middle Eastern Cusine, or at Greek Festivals [sometimes there are vendors there selling jars of them]. The Greek Stuffed Grapes Leaves that I have had are very different from this recipe I have. For those unfamiliar with grape leaves you may need to develop a taste for the leaves, some prefer cabbage leaves over the grape leaves! Me being Southern and eating turnip, mustard, collard, and spinach leaves all my life I find the grape leaves quite a treat!!! But we all have different palates! Variety is the SPICE of life; especially in the world of food!!! A-h-h-m-m-m.
CCC

Hi Janie,
You will find the recipe here!

Note: To roll up start at the narrow end of leaf and rollup then fold over tops of leaf and continue rolling, place leaf rolls in pot seam side down on top of the chicken. I do when using fresh leaves steam them a bit before placing meat filling into them and rolling them up.

P.S. Well we had these for our dinner last night, they were delicious, your Jon would love them, usually the kids go crazy for the chicken, they tatse the cinnamon (just faintly flavoring the meat) and just love it! I am never disappointed when I make this dish! And just so you'll know it is BEST with the fresh grape leaves!!! Just make little meat rolls so they will fit snuggly when rolled inside the leaf (about the size of your middle finger from the knuckle to the tip) and I let mine cook all day on high in the crock pot.

Thanks Cathy.
I finally got to come and get my recipe.

Mapiva where we live I harvest the fresh leaves (young tender ones) and they are so tasty and truly a treat to have. One weekend I went camping right behind a winery and so I was able to pick many leaves. Upon arriving home I noticed grape leaves in abundance growing right in my own yard, I just started laughing so hard. I had overlooked them as weeds!

Thanks. for the recipe CCC. sounds good, always wanted to know how to make em. Cookie