Description
Deliciously tender spinach and ricotta balls, lightly fried to a golden brown, making a perfect appetizer or snack. These bite-sized treats combine fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, and savory Parmesan with garlic and nutmeg, offering a delightful burst of flavor. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) fresh spinach, washed and chopped (or 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 1/2 cups (375g) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Optional
- Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach: If using fresh spinach, heat a skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat and sauté the spinach until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. For frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out any excess moisture. Allow to cool and chop finely.
- Make the Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked spinach and mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the Balls: Form the mixture into balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. If the mixture feels too wet and won’t hold its shape, add a little more breadcrumbs until the consistency is firm enough to roll.
- Heat the Oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, ensuring enough oil to cover the base of the pan for frying.
- Fry the Balls: Carefully place the spinach and ricotta balls in the hot skillet in batches. Fry them, turning frequently, until they are golden brown on all sides, approximately 5-7 minutes per batch.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried balls from the skillet and set them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the spinach and ricotta balls warm, accompanied by marinara sauce for dipping if desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Make sure to squeeze excess water from spinach to avoid soggy mixture.
- Nutmeg is optional but adds a subtle warm flavor.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Can be served as an appetizer, snack, or party finger food.
- To keep warm, place cooked balls on a baking sheet in a low oven (around 200°F / 93°C) until ready to serve.
