Polpette di bollito

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Polpette di bollito are Italian meatballs made from leftover boiled meat, often from making broth or stews. The boiled meat is finely chopped or ground, then mixed with ingredients like breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, parsley, and grated cheese to create flavorful meatballs. These are then fried or baked to a golden-brown finish. This dish is a great example of Italian cucina povera (peasant cuisine), which focuses on using every part of ingredients, reducing waste, and creating delicious, comforting food from leftovers. The polpette are often served with salsa verde or bagnét verd, a tradition taken from Piedmontese boiled dinner. Polpette di bollito are also very popular in Rome.