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Swordfish and Eggplant Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

17/11/2023

The recipe for swordfish and eggplant meatballs in tomato sauce deliciously combines the flavors of the sea with those of the land, creating a rich and tasty dish inspired by the Mediterranean culinary tradition. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of swordfish
  • 1 medium eggplant
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Parsley to taste
  • 1 egg
  • 50 g of stale bread
  • Milk to taste (to soak the bread)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Flour to taste (for dusting the meatballs)
  • Extra virgin olive oil for frying

For the sauce:

  • 500 ml of tomato puree
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Basil to taste
  • Chilli pepper (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the eggplants, cutting them into cubes and salting them for about 30 minutes to remove any bitterness. After rinsing them, fry in hot oil until they become golden. Then set them aside on paper towels.

  2. In the meantime, soak the stale bread with a little milk and let it soften.

  3. Dice the swordfish and finely chop it with a knife or in the mixer together with the garlic and parsley.

  4. Squeeze the stale bread and mix it with the chopped fish in a bowl. Add the egg, salt, and pepper. Combine the fried eggplants and chop again to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

  5. Form the meatballs to the desired size and dust them with flour.

  6. In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and fry the floured meatballs until they are evenly browned. Once ready, place the meatballs on kitchen paper to remove excess oil.

Sauce preparation:

  1. In a pot, sauté the clove of garlic in extra virgin olive oil. If you like, add a bit of chilli pepper.

  2. Add the tomato puree, adjust the salt, and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. At the end of cooking, add some basil leaves to flavor the sauce.

  4. Place the meatballs in the pot with the sauce and let them cook together for a few minutes so that they absorb the flavors of the seasoning.

  5. Serve the swordfish and eggplant meatballs in tomato sauce hot, perhaps accompanied by some good homemade bread or a portion of al dente pasta.

Curiosity

Swordfish is a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, especially in Sicilian cuisine, where it is often paired with typical island ingredients such as eggplants and tomatoes. Swordfish meatballs represent a creative twist on the more traditional meatballs, and their combination with eggplants and tomato sauce makes for a dish with a full and harmonious taste.

Swordfish and Eggplant Meatballs in Tomato Sauce