Meatballs are a popular dish made from ground meat and spices, found in many cultures. They can be served alone or as part of a larger dish, and can be made with various meats and ingredients. Homemade meatballs allow for control over ingredients and flavor. Vegetarian versions are also available. Cook thoroughly to avoid foodborne illness.
Meatballs are balls of ground beef and spices that are pressed together to form balls. Many cultures have their own versions of this dish, from Southeast Asia to Sweden. Depending on cultural and personal taste, meatballs can be served as a standalone food, often with a sauce, or they can be included as part of a larger dish, as is the case with classic spaghetti and meatballs.
Many regional markets sell meatballs, in their frozen or butcher’s sections. You can also buy them at many restaurants and deli counters, and many people enjoy making them at home. By making them at home, people can control the quality of ingredients, flavor and spice level to create a unique dish.
A common choice of meat for meatballs is beef, although lamb, turkey, chicken, and pork can also be used. The meat is minced in a fine mincer and mixed with an assortment of herbs and spices that vary by region; you can find thyme, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, basil, rosemary, parsley, sage, allspice, ginger, and a huge assortment of other ingredients, and some people even mix them with liquids like Worcestershire, chili, and soy sauces.
It’s quite common to mix other ingredients into meatballs to make them less heavy. Pre-cooked vegetables can be used, as can breadcrumbs, and some cooks mix them with egg as a binder, making sure they don’t fall apart. Vegetarians make their own versions of meatballs with textured plant proteins, soy products, or seitan; some vegetarian versions are hard to distinguish from the real thing.
Once formed, the patties can be frozen for future use or cooked. Because ground meats can pick up pathogens very easily, it’s important to make sure they’re cooked thoroughly, whether they’re stewed in gravy or grilled and served folded into a piece of flatbread with spicy seasoning.
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