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Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele)

Savory Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele) to Savor at Home

These Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele) are a cherished part of Romanian cuisine, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 meatballs
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Romanian
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 1 lb Ground Pork or ground turkey/chicken
  • 4 tablespoons Chopped Green Onions or regular onions
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped Green Garlic or regular garlic cloves
  • 1 bunch Fresh Parsley or cilantro/basil
  • 1 bunch Fresh Dill or omit/dried dill
  • 2 Eggs essential binder
  • 1 cup Hardened Bread well-squeezed
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Ground Black Pepper
Coating and Frying
  • 1/2 cup Flour or gluten-free flour
  • 1 cup Vegetable Oil for frying

Equipment

  • large frying pan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by soaking about a piece of hardened bread in lukewarm water or milk for about 5 minutes, allowing it to soften.
  2. Finely chop the green onions, green garlic, and fresh herbs like parsley and dill. In a large mixing bowl, combine these chopped ingredients with ground pork, a good pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. After soaking the bread, squeeze out any excess liquid. Crumble the soaked bread into the meat mixture and combine thoroughly.
  4. On a clean, floured surface, take about a tablespoon of your meat mixture and roll it into a ball, then gently flatten it slightly. Coat each formed meatball with flour.
  5. In a large frying pan, pour in enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom, about 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  6. Carefully add the meatballs to the hot oil in batches, frying each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Once cooked, transfer the fried meatballs to a platter lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Store leftover fried meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.

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