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Italian meatballs

Meatballs can be served as a second course in an Italian meal, with a sauce and vegetables on the side, or, more frequently, are served with pasta as the first course.

Ingredients

1 pound veal (ground)
1 pinch oregano
1⁄2 teaspoon parsley
1 clove garlic (crushed)
1 pinch red pepper (crushed)
1 egg (large)
1⁄2 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon cheese (grated Parmesan cheese)
  salt (to taste)
  pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl-best using your hands, squeeze all ingredients.
  2. Heat large skillet over medium heat, drizzle on a little olive oil and preheat oven to 350° F (175° C) in the meantime.
  3. Use your hands to roll meat into bite sized balls.
  4. Place the meatballs in the skillet and cook uncovered for 3 minutes, roll them over and cook another three minutes.
  5. Transfer the meatballs onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
Total time
45 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes
Preparation time 20 minutes
Yield
6 servings

Notes

Veal is the meat of choice in Italy, though beef is becoming increasingly popular, and it is very lean meat. Sometimes Italians mix pork meat with veal when preparing ground meat, to give it an easier to handle texture. Try ¼ pork meat and ¾ veal.

If you don't have it, you can substitute ground veal meat with ground beef. Just be aware that beef is not lean meat and fat content and cholesterol will increase in consequence.

Foods in Italy vary with the regions and with the climate. The north in much greener and cattle grazes, so northern Italians eat more beef, milk, and cream than other parts of the country. Veal meatballs have their origin in the north of Italy.

moderate, comfort food
meat, main course
Italian food recipes

You could serve the meatballs with pasta, but these meatballs go well with simple rice and Italian tomato sauce or a basic tomato sauce on the side.