Fried Polenta

Fried polenta is a delicious and versatile comfort food, which can serve as a side dish or as a snack. Here is a simple recipe to prepare fried polenta.

Ingredients

• 250 g instant polenta (or leftover cooled polenta)
• 750 ml water
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Preparation

1. If using instant polenta, bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and add a pinch of salt.
2. Pour the polenta in a steady stream, stirring constantly to avoid the formation of lumps.
3. Lower the heat and continue cooking according to the manufacturer’s instructions, until the polenta has thickened and pulled away from the sides of the saucepan.
4. Pour the polenta onto a flat plate or into a baking dish, flattening it with a spatula, until it reaches a thickness of about 1-2 cm. Let it cool completely.
5. Once cooled, cut the polenta into sticks or diamonds.
6. Heat plenty of oil in a pan suitable for frying and, once it has reached the right temperature, fry the polenta pieces until they become golden and crispy.
7. Drain them well and place them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil.
8. Lightly salt them and serve hot.

Optionally, you can add aromatic herbs, such as rosemary or sage, to the frying oil to give an extra aroma.

Trivia

Fried polenta can be an inviting way to use up leftover polenta from the day before. In some areas of Italy, it is traditional to serve fried polenta accompanied by meat or mushroom sauces, or simply with a drizzle of honey or powdered sugar for a sweet version.