Il Cucinologo
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Meatballs with Peas and Potatoes

17/11/2023

Meatballs with peas and potatoes are a tasty dish that combines the sweetness and freshness of peas with the tenderness of potatoes. Here is an Italian version. First, I’ll list the ingredients and then we’ll proceed with the preparation.

Ingredients

  • 300 g ground meat (can be beef, pork or a mix)
  • 1 egg
  • 50 g grated Parmesan
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • 1 onion
  • 400 g fresh or frozen peas
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 500 ml vegetable or meat broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped parsley to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the egg, grated Parmesan, a pinch of salt and pepper, and some chopped parsley. Add breadcrumbs until you get a moldable mixture but not too dry.
  2. Shape the meatballs to the desired size and set them aside.
  3. Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes.
  4. In a large skillet, sauté the finely chopped onion in extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent.
  5. Add the meatballs to the skillet and brown them on all sides.
  6. Once golden, add the peas and potatoes, and stir gently.
  7. Pour the vegetable or meat broth into the skillet, enough to cover the meatballs, peas and potatoes, then bring to a boil.
  8. Lower the heat, cover with a lid and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and peas are tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
  9. If necessary, during cooking, add more broth to maintain the right level of moisture in the dish.
  10. At the end of cooking, if you want a thicker sauce, you can raise the heat and let some of the liquid evaporate, adjusting with the lid.
  11. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Trivia

Meatballs are a very versatile dish and present in various forms in different cuisines around the world. In Italy, the addition of Parmesan and parsley in the mixture gives that special touch that enhances the flavor of the meat. Pairing meatballs with vegetables like peas and potatoes makes them a complete one-pot meal, ideal for a family lunch.

Remember, you can always play with herbs and spices to further customize the dish to your taste!