Sesame-crusted Meatballs

Sesame-crusted meatballs are a delightful dish that can be served as an appetizer or as a light second course. Here is the recipe with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 500 g of ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix of the two)
• 1 egg
• 50 g of breadcrumbs
• 30 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley, to taste
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sesame seeds, as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil or seed oil for frying

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, and garlic (if using). Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Knead the ingredients with your hands until obtaining a homogeneous mixture. If necessary, add a little more breadcrumbs to achieve the desired consistency.
3. Form small, round meatballs about the size of a walnut.
4. Pour the sesame seeds onto a plate and roll the meatballs in them until they are completely covered.
5. In a frying pan, heat enough oil. When the oil has reached the right temperature, fry the meatballs until they are golden and crispy, then drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Oven Alternative: For a lighter version, you can bake the meatballs in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200 °C, place the sesame-crusted meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and cook for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Trivia

Sesame is widely used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, but it also has its place in Italian cooking, particularly in Sicily, where it is used to cover the famous “pani cunzatu” (seasoned bread). In these meatballs, sesame adds a crunchy note and a unique flavor, blending very well with the herbs and cheese of the filling.