Sesame-Crusted Meatballs

Sesame-crusted meatballs are a delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer or as a light main course. Here is the recipe with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 500 g ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix of the two)
• 1 egg
• 50 g breadcrumbs
• 30 g grated Parmesan
• Fresh chopped parsley, to taste
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sesame seeds, to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil or seed oil for frying

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, and garlic (if using). Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Knead the ingredients with your hands until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. If necessary, add a bit of breadcrumbs to achieve the desired consistency.
3. Form small round meatballs, the size of a walnut.
4. Pour the sesame seeds onto a plate and roll the meatballs in them until fully coated.
5. In a pan, heat plenty of oil. When the oil has reached the right temperature, fry the meatballs until golden and crispy, then drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Oven Alternative: For a lighter version, you can bake the meatballs. Preheat the oven to 200 °C, arrange the sesame-crusted meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Trivia

Sesame is widely used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, but it also finds its place in Italian cuisine, particularly in Sicily, where it is used to coat the famous “pani cunzatu” (seasoned bread). In these meatballs, sesame adds a crunchy note and a unique flavor, blending perfectly with the herbs and cheese in the filling.