When I saw the cook book challenge for July, Italy, I was both delighted and wondering how on earth I was going to narrow down a choice of what to make. I picked up a couple of books from the library, browsed the latest edition of Cuisine magazine which had as its theme, Italy, went to a favourite website Sip and Feast, and walked around two bookshops. I stared at my bookshelves and in the end, I turned to a book I have had for many years, but actually never cooked from, Skye McAlpine’s beautiful book A Table in Venice (published in 2018).
As regular readers know, this household loves a meatball or two, so I decided to make the spiced meatballs or polpettine piccanti. The recipe is adapted from one the author found in a book about Jewish culture in Venice. Described as a comforting dish, it seemed the right thing for this chilly winter season.
The meatball mixture is based around beef mince, with breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, rosemary, cumin and coriander. I used dried rosemary in the meatballs and added a sprig to the sauce. The sauce is made with garlic, passata, chilli flakes, and seasoning.
The meatballs are browned, then added to the sauce to finish off the cooking. Parsley and basil are added at the end to add some extra flavour. I served these with polenta, a rocket salad, and of course, a glass of red wine (which wasn’t Italian I confess. We had bruschetta to start but they were too inelegant to photograph.
Verdict? Very good. Do again? Yes – will add on to the ‘meatball rotation’ list!
Entered in the cook book club hosted by Jo of Brookford Kitchen Diaries. Next month – a cookbook from your own country which for me is New Zealand. Date – 13 August.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis.
Thistles and Kiwis 
Oh my goodness, the food in each photo looks absolutely divine. What a fantastic meal. You are also a talented and creative food photographer! ❤
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Oh thank you so much!
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Oh my goodness, that looks good. I have this book but have barely cooked from it either. Love the lighting you get in your food shots too.
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It was a very tasty dish and highly recommended if you have the book. Thanks for liking the food shots – just taken with my iPhone.
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Mine are always taken at dinner time under artificial lighting so are crap. Completely crap.
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I have artificial light on at this time of the year but in a different part of the room. So much easier in summer!
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Oh yes! I love these Italian tastes, especially the polenta! Delicious photos.
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Thank you! The sauce went so well with Polenta.
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Yep i agree – who doesn’t love a meatball? I am not a fan of tomatoes tho so would have to make a different sauce 🙂 A fave meatball dish of mine is a German one with a bechamel sauce with anchovies in it. Yum!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
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Oh that does sound good!
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I love Meatballs in and style. I have recipes for Polish ones. I love Swedish meatballs and Italian style ones. I like them in sauce.
These sound super!
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These were very good with just the right amount of ‘kick’ too.
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That is a beautiful cookbook and your meal looks incredible!
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Thank you!
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Pretty as well as warm and satisfying for a winter’s night. We are vegetarians, and I am guessing this dish could be made with Beyond Beef.
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Yes I don’t see why not!
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Meatballs are always a favourite in our house. Not tried with polenta so I might give that a go. Makes a change from spaghetti. And I agree with RR you do take wonderful foodie photos.
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Polenta does make a nice change. Thanks for the comment on the photos!
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Looks like a beautiful cookbook!
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It is lovely to look at I admit.
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Okay, so now I feel hungry!!
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It looks delicious, and I feel hungry even though I just had dinner!
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Tack!
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I love the cover of that cookbook! You picked a great recipe and I like that you served it with polenta. Great photos.
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Thank you so much Darlene!
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Seriously better than a restaurant! 🍝😋🌟
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Oh thank you so much!!
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That looks amazing and definitely something I’d make several times. I love polenta (I’m guessing that’s wha tthat was).
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Yes Polenta!
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