Fried Wontons

Fried wontons are a classic Chinese appetizer, also very popular in the West. They are small pouches of dough filled and then fried. Their preparation is not complicated, but requires a bit of dexterity in folding the dough. Here is a version that combines Italian-Chinese flavors.

Ingredients

• 200g of ground pork or beef
• 100g of chopped shrimp (optional)
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine or dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wonton wrappers (available in Asian stores or well-stocked supermarkets)
• Oil for frying

Preparation

1. In a bowl, mix the ground meat with the chopped shrimp (if using), spring onion, chives, soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, ginger, salt, and pepper until you have a homogeneous mixture.
2. Take a wonton wrapper and place a teaspoon of the filling in the center. To seal the wonton, moisten the edges of the wrapper with a little water, then fold the dough in half to form a triangle and press the edges well to seal them. If you wish, you can also bring the two outer points of the triangle toward each other, giving the wonton a more characteristic shape.
3. In a large pan, heat plenty of oil. Once the oil is hot, fry the wontons in small batches, being careful not to overlap them, until they are golden and crispy, about 2-4 minutes.
4. Remove the fried wontons from the oil with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels to remove the excess oil.
5. Serve the fried wontons hot with sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce.

Curiosity

Wontons can be filled with a variety of ingredients, from meats to cheeses, to sweet fillings. In addition, the shape can vary: some prefer them simply folded into a triangle, others work them to give more elaborate shapes, like “money pouches,” which are considered auspicious during festivities.