History and Origin of Italian Meatballs
Italian meatballs, known as "polpette" in Italy, are a traditional dish dating back centuries within Mediterranean cuisine. Originally, these small balls of meat were a practical and tasty way to use leftover meat by mixing it with herbs and spices. Over time, meatballs became popular not only in Italy but also in various Latin American countries, where they adopted regional variations in flavor and presentation.
In countries like Mexico, they are usually simply called "albóndigas" and are prepared in broths or spicy sauces. In Argentina, they are very common in stews or as part of a pasta dish. In Colombia and Venezuela, meatballs are often mixed with rice or served with particular sauces. Despite the differences, the essence of this Italian recipe remains intact: a delicious mix of meat, spices, and love for home cooking.
How to Prepare Italian Meatballs in a Basket
Italian meatballs in a basket are an ideal recipe to share with family or friends, combining the traditional flavor of meat and herbs with the creativity of serving them in a crunchy Italian bread loaf. Below, we show you how to prepare them step by step so you can enjoy a dish full of flavor and texture.
Ingredients:
Ground Beef, Margarine, Green Bell Pepper, Onion, Stewed Tomatoes, Basil, Thyme, Unbleached Flour, Italian Bread Loaf, Green Bell Pepper Ring, Cherry Tomatoes.
Steps to prepare the meatballs:
Lightly shape the ground meat into 1 1/2-inch balls.
Lightly brown the balls in margarine in a large skillet, for approximately 5 minutes.
Add the green bell pepper and onion to the meatballs.
Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain the tomatoes, reserving the liquid.
Add the tomatoes, all but 1/4 cup of the tomato liquid, basil, and thyme to the meatballs.
Cover tightly and simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine the reserved tomato liquid with flour, stirring until smooth.
Incorporate into the meatballs, cover tightly, and cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Preparation of the Italian bread basket:
Meanwhile, prepare the Italian bread basket and place it on the tray.
Cut a 3/4-inch slice from the top of the bread loaf.
Using a fork, hollow out the inside of the bread to form a basket, leaving 1 inch of bread on all sides and the base.
Place the loaf on aluminum foil on a shallow baking tray.
Brush the top, sides, and inside of the bread with melted margarine.
Sprinkle the loaf with Parmesan cheese, covering the sides evenly.
Bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes.
Assembly and presentation:
Serve the meatball mixture inside and around the bread.
Garnish with green bell pepper slices and cherry tomatoes, if desired.
