Parmesan Lentil Meatballs

Parmesan lentil meatballs are a tasty and nutritious vegetarian dish. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 250 g of lentils (dry or already cooked)
• 1 egg
• 60 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Breadcrumbs (amount necessary to obtain a workable mixture)
• Extra virgin olive oil (for frying or baking)

Preparation

1. If using dry lentils, soak them for at least 12 hours, then drain and cook them in fresh water for about 30-40 minutes or until tender. If you opt for already cooked lentils, rinse them well before using.

2. Mash the lentils with a fork or pass them through a potato ricer to obtain a coarse puree.

3. Add to the lentil mixture the egg, Parmesan, finely chopped garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.

4. Combine all the ingredients and add breadcrumbs as needed to obtain a mixture that you can shape into meatballs.

5. Form meatballs of the desired size and coat them in breadcrumbs.

6. You can choose to cook the Parmesan lentil meatballs in two different ways: fried in extra virgin olive oil until golden and crispy, or baked at 200 °C for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to brown them evenly.

Curiosities

Lentil meatballs are an excellent vegetarian alternative to classic meat meatballs. Parmesan, with its rich flavor and crumbly texture, pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the lentils. Remember that this dish can be easily made vegan by eliminating the egg and replacing the Parmesan with a vegan version of grated cheese.