Nonna's Italian Meatballs

Nonna's Italian Meatballs/Polpettone

IG: @mangia.con.elena

The other day I made a large batch of meatballs.  I make them very simple with few ingredients, keeping with my Italian upbringing and the way my mother taught me. I then lay them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper, freeze them, place them in freezer bags and store for when I want to make pasta, lasagna, pasta al forno or this delicious wedding soup. I will always make a large batch of regular sized meatballs and mini ones. As I do, my mind wanders to the hours that I would spend rolling meatballs with my mother at the little kitchen table. What I didn't know then was that I was making memories that I cherish deeply and hopefully pass these traditions on to my children. Typically, the meat is a combination of ground pork, veal and beef. I prefer to use chicken or turkey instead of the veal but that of course is up to you! Let your taste buds be your guide!

The ingredients are just guidelines as this really depends on how much meat you are using and your seasoning preferences. 

 I always use Italian seasoned bread crumbs but if you don't have any, then add some Italian season to plain breadcrumbs. I will typically use about 2 pounds of each meat and will end up making enough meatballs for several meals. 

These meatballs are very simple- they are boiled in broth or sauce and absorb the flavours from that. We do not fry our meatballs ahead of time. The trick in making  flavourful and airy meatballs is to have a light touch when rolling them. It will take practice but do not be intimidated. Once you get the hang of rolling meatballs you will be making them all the time! Oh and don't forget to get your hands in there!

Simple seasonings that bring out the natural flavours of the food is truly the secret to successful Italian cooking. 

Happy meatball making😄

 ✸ Scroll through my blog posts for a delicious meat sauce that would be perfect for these meatballs 👍

Nonna making her delicious meatballs

Ingredients

✅ ground meat of your choice

✅ 2 eggs

✅ 1 cup breadcrumbs

✅ 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano

✅ chopped fresh parsley 

✅  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. Place ground meat in a large bowl and mix it together with your hands. Break apart any large pieces.
3. Break in 2 eggs and mix together. Add salt and pepper. Easy on the salt as the cheese is salty. 
4. Add cheese and breadcrumbs. Mix it until you get a nice consistent form. 
5. Take a bit of meat in your hand and roll into a ball by keeping the meat in the palm of one hand and rolling with the palm of the other.  You will have to play with it for a bit to see what amount you need for the size you are wanting to make.
6.  Press lightly as you roll and once done place on the sheet.
7.  Place in freezer and once frozen place them in freezer bags. 

A mangia!

Elena 💚