Croquettes are small patties made with meat, potatoes, or vegetables, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. They originated in the Roman Empire and were popularized in France in the 18th century. They can contain a variety of fillings and are influenced by regional preferences. They can be served as a snack or a full meal and are often accompanied by a sauce.
A croquette is a small patty made with meat, potatoes or vegetables. These ingredients are mixed together, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried to create a crispy golden outer shell. While kibble can serve as both a snack and a full meal, it’s highly prized for its portability, making it a popular food. The name croquette probably comes from the French verb croquer, which means to crunch.
Many people mistakenly believe that this food originated in France, but it can actually be traced back as far as the early Roman Empire. The Romans used a paste-like coating around meat or vegetables to create a dish known as meatballs. This recipe spread to Europe over time, and in the early 18th century, the French were the first to use breadcrumbs instead of the traditional pastry coating. The first written record of the croquette in the United States came in a late 19th century cookbook. Kibbles remain popular in various forms in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The croquette may contain a large variety of ingredients mixed together or may consist of just one basic filling. Ground or chopped beef, pork, and chicken are among the most popular fillers, followed by sausage and fish. Mashed or chopped potatoes also pack a punch, as do peas, cabbage, and other greens. Some kibble recipes call for cheese and various spices, while others are delicate. Cheaper or lower quality kibble often contain binders or fillers such as breading or cheap greens.
This dish is often influenced by regional preferences and traditions. In the UK, croquette is strictly a potato dish and is rarely made with meat. People in the US enjoy fried fish or crab cakes and salmon patties. In South America, croquettes often contain minced chicken or fish, while Europeans focus on meat- and sausage-filled varieties. In Asian nations, the kibble typically contains vegetables and potatoes, with very little meat.
When served as a snack, croquettes are often accompanied by a special sauce or mustard. They can be used as an appetizer or sold at street fairs and coffee shops. In some countries, the croquette is served alongside soup or another side to form a complete meal. It can also be stuffed into a piece of bread to form a simple sandwich or drizzled with tomato sauce to form a stew-like dish.
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