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Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele)

Crispy Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele) Your New Go-To Snack

Deliciously crispy Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele) made with simple ingredients, perfect for snacks or appetizers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 meatballs
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Romanian
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Mixture
  • 500 grams Ground Pork Can substitute with beef, turkey, or chicken.
  • 4 tablespoons Chopped Green Onions Regular onions can be used instead.
  • 4 cloves Chopped Green Garlic Can replace with 8 cloves of regular garlic.
  • 1 bunch Fresh Parsley Try cilantro or another herb for variety.
  • 1 bunch Fresh Dill Dried dill can be used if fresh is not available.
  • 2 large Eggs Acts as a binder.
  • 100 grams Hardened Bread Breadcrumbs can be used if needed.
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper Adjust to taste.
For Coating & Frying
  • 1 cup Flour Use gluten-free flour if needed.
  • 500 ml Vegetable Oil Can use any neutral oil like canola or sunflower.

Equipment

  • large frying pan
  • mixing bowl
  • cutting board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Tongs

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Soak the hardened bread in water or milk for about 5 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid gently.
  2. Finely chop green onions, green garlic, parsley, and dill. Set them aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, chopped aromatics, soaked bread, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Shape the mixture into balls, about the size of golf balls. Dredge each meatball in flour.
  5. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  6. Fry the meatballs for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  7. Remove meatballs and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  8. Serve hot as a snack or appetizer. Store in fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Let the meatballs rest on paper towels after frying to maintain their crispiness.

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