I am sure that everyone has heard about “polpette“, Italian meatballs… but do you know what’s a “polpettone”? 

Polpettone is an Italian meatloaf (or a meatball large enough to share). It is a traditional dish made from a mixture of different meats and stuffed with vegetables, herbs and cheese. It is super delicious and perfect to celebrate special occasions, therefore…. ideal for a Christmas Day Lunch! This moist, savoury version is almost like a terrine, but easier to execute. It is delectable both hot or cold.

What are you waiting for? Turn on your oven and try my:

Christmas Polpettone with Garlic Roast Potatoes

Ingredients

• 550g Minced Beef
• 2 Eggs
• 50g grated Parmesan
• 1 slice of soft Bread
• 2 Zucchini
• 100g Cheddar Cheese
• 1 sheet of Puff Pastry
• 3 Potatoes
• 1/2 glass of Milk
• 1 Jar of Garlic Patè
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Il Vero”
• Salt, as needed
• Minced parsley, as needed

How to make the “Polpettone”:

Start mixing together the minced beef, grated Parmesan, a slice of soft bread, eggs, minced parsley anda pinch of salt.

Stir all together, to obtain a soft dough.

Create a rectangle with the dough, on a sheet of baking paper.

Slice finely the courgettes and grill the slices.

Make the first layer of grilled courgettes on top of the meat rectangle.

Then add a second layer with the slices of cheese.

Roll up the meat creating a roll. Here it is your “polpettone”!

Wrap it in a sheet of baking paper and bake it in the oven for 35 minutes at 180°C.

In the meanwhile, make a net with the puff pastry.

After 35 min, take the polpettone out of the oven and remove the baking paper.

Wrap it in the puff pastry net. Brush with beaten yolk, and bake again in the oven for 20 minutes at 190°C.

While the polpettone is cooking, let’s prepare the Garlic Roast Potatoes.

How to make the Garlic Roast Potatoes

Boil the potatoes and mash them adding 1/2 glass of warm milk, 4-5 tbsp of Garlic Patè and salt. Adjust to your taste.

Put the garlicky mash in a pastry bag and design little potato croquettes on a baking sheet. Brush them with Extra virgin Olive Olive Oil “Il Vero” and bake at 190°C until brown.

Usually, 20 minutes should be enough. You can bake the potatoes together with the polpettone if you prefer.

Serve warm… all done!

Enjoy, Buon Appetito and… Buon Natale! (Merry Christmas!)