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Spinach Balls

17/11/2023

Spinach balls are a delicious and nutritious dish, perfect for those who love vegetable flavors. Moreover, balls are a versatile dish that can be adapted to many tastes and diets; here’s a basic recipe with a hint of Italianness.

Ingredients

  • 500g of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 1 large egg (or a vegan substitute like ground flaxseed)
  • 50g of grated Parmesan (or a vegan substitute)
  • 100g of breadcrumbs, and a little more for breading
  • 1 chopped garlic clove (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated nutmeg (to taste)
  • Extra virgin olive oil or another oil for frying

Preparation

  1. If using fresh spinach, wash it well and cook in a pot with a little water for about 5 minutes or until wilted. If using frozen spinach, cook as indicated on the package. In both cases, once cooked, squeeze well to remove as much water as possible.

  2. Chop the spinach well and place in a large bowl.

  3. Add the egg, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic (if chosen), a sprinkle of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well until you get a homogeneous mixture. If the mixture is too moist, add more breadcrumbs until the desired consistency is reached.

  4. Form balls with your hands, about the size of a walnut, and roll them in the extra breadcrumbs.

  5. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the balls until they are golden and crispy on all sides.

If you prefer a lighter cooking method, you can also bake the balls in the oven, on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, at 200°C for about 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through until golden brown.

Trivia

The balls lend themselves to many variations: try including ricotta in the mixture to make them softer, or replacing the Parmesan with crumbled feta for a touch of Mediterranean flavors. And remember that in Italy, balls are not just a side dish, but can become the main course accompanied by a nice plate of pasta or a salad.