Meat and Apple Meatballs

I can guide you in preparing meat and apple meatballs, a dish that embraces the harmony of sweet and savory flavors. Here is a recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 500 g of ground meat (you can use beef, pork, or a mix)
• 1 large apple, preferably tart (e.g., Granny Smith)
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Extra virgin olive oil for cooking
• (Optional) Grated Parmesan cheese to enrich the mixture

Preparation

1. Start by peeling and grating the apple, and set it aside for a moment.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with the chopped garlic and onion. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, and milk. Blend all the ingredients well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
3. Incorporate the grated apple into the meat mixture, add a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg. If you wish, you can also add grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Form small meatballs with your hands, making sure they are compact.
5. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan and cook the meatballs over medium heat, turning them periodically to brown them evenly. If you prefer, you can also bake them in the oven at 200 °C for about 20-25 minutes, until they are well-browned.
6. Once ready, serve the meatballs hot, perhaps accompanied by a light side dish like a green salad.

Curiosity

Meatballs are a very versatile dish and widespread in different culinary cultures, each with its variants. The addition of apples is a creative way to add a touch of sweetness and freshness to the meatballs, and it goes particularly well with pork meat. In Italy, meatballs are often found as a second course or as part of a ragù.