Meatballs

Meatballs are a classic of Italian home cooking, very versatile and loved by both adults and children alike. Here is a simple recipe to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 500 g of ground meat (beef or a mix of beef and pork for more flavor)
• 1 egg
• 50 g of breadcrumbs
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• 1 clove of chopped garlic (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Milk as needed (to soften the breadcrumbs)
• Olive oil for frying

Preparation

1. If the breadcrumbs are very dry, soak them in a little milk to soften them.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the egg, breadcrumbs (squeeze out if they were soaked in milk), Parmesan cheese, parsley, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Knead the mixture with your hands until it is uniform. If the mix is too dry, you can add a little milk; if it is too moist, add more breadcrumbs.
4. Take portions of the mixture and shape them into meatballs of the desired size, rolling them between your hands.
5. Heat a good amount of olive oil in a frying pan, and when it is hot, fry the meatballs until they are golden brown and crispy outside.
6. Drain the meatballs on paper towels to remove excess oil.

The meatballs can be served as they are, or they can be further cooked in tomato sauce to enrich their flavor.

Did you know?

In Italy, meatballs are often cooked in tomato sauce where they take on a delicious flavor and are well suited to be accompanied by pasta or eaten with homemade bread to make the “scarpetta”. In many Italian regions, meatballs are prepared with additions tied to local traditions, such as raisins and pine nuts in the south or speck and cheese in the alpine regions.