Sardine Meatballs

Naturally, sardine meatballs are a delicious dish reflecting the culinary tradition of the Italian coastal regions. The recipe I am proposing is a classic version with a Mediterranean twist.

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh sardines
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 bunch of fresh parsley
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil for frying

Preparation

1. Clean the sardines by removing the head, guts, and central bone. Rinse them well under running water and pat them dry with kitchen paper.

2. Finely chop the sardines with a knife or use a food processor.

3. In a bowl, mix the chopped sardines with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, chopped parsley, and crushed garlic cloves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Mix all the ingredients well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

5. Take small portions of the mixture and form meatballs the size of a walnut.

6. In a pan, heat plenty of extra virgin olive oil and when it is hot, fry the meatballs until they are golden and crispy.

7. Drain the meatballs on paper towels to remove excess oil.

8. Sardine meatballs can be served either hot or at room temperature, accompanied by lemon slices.

Curiosity

Sardine meatballs are a very appreciated appetizer or second course, especially in the Italian maritime regions, where fish is a fundamental element of the diet. Sardines are a highly nutritious fish, rich in Omega-3, which is used in Italian cuisine in multiple ways, from meatballs to rolls, to the famous Sicilian pasta with sardines.