Celery Meatballs

Here is the recipe for delicious celery meatballs. These meatballs are a vegetarian variant and can be a great way to enjoy celery in a different way.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch of celery
• 2 eggs
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 100 g of breadcrumbs, plus more for breading
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste
• Olive oil for frying

Preparation

1. Clean the celery by removing the tougher leaves and the strings. Cut the stalks into pieces and cook them in boiling salted water until they become soft. Once cooked, drain them and let them cool.
2. Finely chop the celery using a knife or a food processor.
3. In a bowl, mix the celery with the eggs, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, finely chopped garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg. The mixture should be homogeneous and compact enough to form meatballs.
4. Shape the mixture into meatballs with your hands, then roll them in breadcrumbs to coat well on all sides.
5. Heat plenty of olive oil in a frying pan and when it’s hot, fry the meatballs until they become golden and crispy on all sides. Work in batches so as not to lower the oil temperature and not to overcrowd the pan.
6. As they are ready, transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to remove the excess oil.

Trivia

For many, celery is a secondary ingredient used for sautéing or in salads, but in this recipe, it takes on a leading role. Celery meatballs are a traditional preparation in some Italian regions, where the idea of using vegetables to make main courses is embedded in the local culinary culture.

Enjoy your meal with these flavorful Italian-style celery meatballs!