Zucchini Meatballs Pizzaiola Style

Zucchini meatballs pizzaiola style are a flavorful dish that combines the freshness of zucchini with the classic flavors of pizza. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 egg
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil for cooking
• 200 ml of tomato purée
• 1 clove of garlic
• Dried oregano to taste
• 100 g of mozzarella (or another cheese that melts well), cut into cubes
• Fresh basil leaves for garnishing

Preparation

1. Start by grating the zucchinis with a coarse grater. Place the grated zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with a little salt, and let them drain for about 30 minutes, then squeeze them to remove excess liquid.
2. In a bowl, mix the strained zucchini with the egg, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and gradually add the breadcrumbs until you get a homogeneous and moldable mixture.
3. Form meatballs with the zucchini mixture, slightly flattening them to give a more stable shape during cooking.
4. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan and cook the meatballs on both sides until they become golden brown.
5. Once cooked, set them aside.
6. In the same pan, add a drizzle of oil and the garlic clove. Let the garlic brown and then pour in the tomato purée.
7. Add oregano and a pinch of salt, and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
8. Put the meatballs back into the pan with the sauce and let them flavor for a few minutes over low heat.
9. Just before turning off the heat, add the mozzarella cubes (or other cheese) on top of the meatballs and cover with a lid for a few minutes so that the cheese melts.
10. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Zucchini meatballs pizzaiola style can be an excellent main course or a delicious appetizer, perfect for those who love the flavors of Italian cuisine.

Fun Fact

This dish combines the lightness of vegetables with the bold flavor of the traditional pizzaiola for a surprisingly delicious result. Zucchini meatballs pizzaiola style are an example of how vegetarian cuisine can be creative and full of flavor.