Description
Enjoy irresistibly juicy Romanian meatballs, or chiftele, full of flavor and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Ground Pork (Substitute with beef, chicken, or turkey if desired.)
- 3 tablespoons Chopped Green Onions (Swap with regular onion if needed.)
- 3 tablespoons Chopped Green Garlic (Regular garlic cloves can be used.)
- 1 cup Fresh Parsley (Dried herbs can be used in adjusted quantities.)
- 1 cup Fresh Dill (Dried herbs can be used in adjusted quantities.)
- 1 Egg (Crucial for binding; no substitute recommended.)
- 1 cup Hardened Bread (Soak before using to soften.)
- to taste Salt (Adjust to suit your taste preferences.)
- to taste Black Pepper (Adjust to suit your taste preferences.)
- 1/2 cup Flour (Consider using gluten-free flour for a lighter option.)
- as needed Vegetable Oil (Opt for high smoke point oils like canola or sunflower.)
Instructions
- Soak the hardened bread in water for about 5 minutes. After soaking, squeeze out the excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, add the ground pork, chopped green onions, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, pepper, crumbled bread, and eggs. Combine all ingredients until well-blended.
- Shape the mixture into round balls or flatten them into patties. Lightly dredge each meatball in flour.
- In large pans, pour in the vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 350°F.
- Carefully place the meatballs in the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the meatballs to a paper towel-lined platter to drain excess oil. Serve hot with warm bread and fresh vegetables.
Notes
- These meatballs can be made with different meats based on your preference.
- Serve with a side of your choice for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Romanian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Juicy Romanian Meatballs, Chiftele, Meatballs Recipe, Family Dinner