5.0 from 3 votes
Lemon pork meatballs
These meatballs are packed with flavor, with a lightness from the lemon, and easy to make, too.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
rest time (approx)
1 hr
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 (approx
Calories: 445 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 2 oz bread tough crusts removed
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 oz arugula
- 1 oz parmesan finely grated
- 1 lemon zest ie from 1 lemon
- 1 lb ground pork pork mince
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoon flour approx (for rolling)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying, approx, or more as needed
Instructions
- Roughly break up the bread and place in a bowl with the milk. Leave to soak while you prepare the rest.
- Roughly chop the arugula and grate the parmesan. Finely grate the zest from the lemon.
- Place the ground pork in a bowl. Squeeze any excess milk from the bread then add the bread along with the chopped arugula, grated parmesan, lemon zest and egg to the pork. Season with a little salt and pepper then mix everything together well - using your hands generally works best.
- Take roughly tablespoon-sized scoops of the mixture and form into balls. Place in the fridge for around an hour to firm up before cooking.
- Once ready to cook, place some flour in a small bowl/plate then roll the meatballs in the flour to coat then gently shake off excess flour.
- Heat a skillet/frying pan with a little vegetable oil then add some of the meatballs with enough space in between so you can get in to turn them. Cook for a few minutes on 2-3 sides, depending on size and how cooked they look, until they are gently browned. Serve warm (although they would be good at room temperature as well).
Cup of Yum
Notes
- As mentioned above, to make these more like traditional polpette de limone, you would typically use ground veal, then use parsley instead of arugula and only around 2-3tbsp rather than the amount of arugula here which is a bit more. Delicious both ways!
Nutrition Information
Calories
445kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
31g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
130mg
(43%)
Sodium
292mg
(12%)
Potassium
456mg
(13%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
493IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
171mg
(17%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4(approx
Amount Per Serving
Calories 445
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 445kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 130mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 292mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 456mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 493IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 171mg | 17% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.