• >
  • Recipes
  • >
  • Tuna Meatballs: Polpette di Tonno

Tuna Meatballs: Polpette di Tonno

Recipe courtesy Mario Batali
Show: Molto Mario Episode: Ancient Greece
TOTAL TIME: 2 hr
Prep: 1 hr
Inactive Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min
YIELD: 4 to 6 servings
LEVEL: Intermediate

ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh tuna, all skin and sinews removed
  • 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino
  • 1 teaspoon golden raisins
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Flour, for coating
  • Extra-virgin olive oil to fill a deep pot no more than halfway
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can peeled whole tomatoes, chopped by hand
  • 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Fennel fronds, for garnish, optional
recipe tools

    • COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

        

    Sign in

    All fields are required.

    E-mail Address:

    Password:

    Remember me on this computer

    Signing in

    Please enter your email address and we will send your password

    E-mail Address

    Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

    Not a member?

    Sign up for My Cooking Channel to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

    It's free and easy.

  • Print Recipe

Directions

Cut tuna into chunks and pass through meat grinder with a medium die.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine with the breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, raisins, and pine nuts. Combine until the mixture forms a thick homogenous paste. Lightly salt and pepper. Using a tablespoon measurement, scoop heaping tablespoons of the tuna mixture and roll between your palms to form round-shaped croquettes.

Fill a deep pan no more than halfway with the olive oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees. The oil should stay at or around this temperature throughout the frying process. Roll each tuna croquette into the flour to coat, shaking off any excess. Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower the meatballs into the hot oil and cook until they are a light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove with the same slotted spoon and leave to drain on a serving platter lined with paper towels. Season croquettes with salt and pepper while hot. Repeat until all the tuna has been used.

In a medium saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft and lightly toasted, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Use a potato masher to soften and break down the tomatoes. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and cook tomatoes for about 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and garnish with fennel fronds and some more drizzles of extra-virgin olive oil. Spoon some sauce on a plate, place a croquette on top and serve hot.

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Cooking Channel to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be logged in to review this recipe.

or Sign Up to Review

Advertisement

On TV

*ALL TIMES EASTERN
ON AIR
NOW
TONIGHT
10:00
PM

what's hot

Road Trip with G. Garvin
Road Trip with G. Garvin Host: G. Garvin

Get Cooking Channel on your TV.

Learn How