In this week’s recipes from around the world series, we travel to Italy where we have a recipe for meatballs that has been passed down through three generations. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Italy

Italy is located in the southern part of Europe and it is easily recognizable on a map as the country is shaped like a high-heeled boot, kicking a ball. Italy shares borders with six countries: France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Vatican City, and San Marino.

A flight to Rome, Italy’s capital, takes 2.5 hours from London and 8 hours from New York City.

Meatballs (also known as Polpette)

Did you know Italians do not eat their meatballs with spaghetti? That is an Italian-American dish. In Italy, meatballs are eaten as a main course on their own or with a side salad.

This recipe has been shared by Bébé Voyage Features Editor Marta Conte (yep, that’s me and it has been passed down by my Italian grandmother).

Ingredients

500g minced beef

2 pork sausages

25-30g grated cheese

1 egg

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Salt to taste (we used 1/2 tsp)

400g chopped tomatoes

Cooking Method

1. Mix mince, sausages, cheese, nutmeg, and salt together until everything is well mixed. Add an egg and mix again.
2. Start shaping the meatballs with your hands. They should be slightly smaller than a golf ball.
3. Heat up a pan with a little olive oil and then brown the meatballs. 
4. Once the meatballs are browned, add the chopped tomatoes and cook on low heat for about 30 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. Serve hot.

Little Fingers Can:

2-4-year-old

Mix mince, sausages, cheese, nutmeg, and salt together until everything is well mixed.

Mix the cracked egg into the bowl.

Help shape the meatballs.

5-7-year-old

Measure the ingredients: if using a scale, make sure you write the numbers big and clear for them to copy on the scale. If using a measuring jug, I usually put some paper tape to highlight where to stop.

Mix mince, sausages, cheese, nutmeg, and salt together until everything is well mixed.

Crack the egg and mix it into the bowl.

Shape the meatballs

7-year +

Measure the ingredients: if using a scale, make sure you write the numbers big and clear for them to copy on the scale. If using a measuring jug, I usually put some paper tape to highlight where to stop.

Mix mince, sausages, cheese, nutmeg, and salt together until everything is well mixed.

Crack the egg and mix it into the bowl.

Shape the meatballs.

Heat up a pan with a little olive oil and then brown the meatballs (under adult supervision).

Once the meatballs are browned, add the chopped tomatoes (under adult supervision).

Did you try this recipe? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

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