Florentine meatloaf – Polpettone alla Fiorentina
The recipe for meatloaf is one of the most classic and also most prepared in Italian kitchens. Maybe because of its simplicity, its genuine flavor or its ease of preparation, but this dish is loved by everyone, both adults and children.
There are many versions of Florentine meatloaf. There are those who prepare it stuffed, those with whole vegetables like Enzos sister does, those who add sausage, those who make it vegetarian. However, today we will tell you how to prepare the classic Florentine meatloaf, one that never disappoints and is always good!
The choice of meat depends on your tastes. It can be prepared with beef, veal, chicken or even by mixing two different types of meat such as veal and chicken, which together have a good flavor and leave the meatloaf soft and delicate.
Another important thing is the use of parmesan; this ingredient goes very well with the other ingredients but it is not essential for success.
Ingredients for 4 people
• 500g minced beef
• 100g prosciutto, finely chopped or minced
• 2 eggs
• 500g tomatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, 1 finely chopped and the other peeled and crushed
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• A handful of parsley, finely chopped
• 100g of bread, soaked in milk with crust removed, then squeezed to remove excess liquid.
• Bread crumbs
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese
• 200ml red wine
• 6 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste
Preparation
Mix the minced beef, prosciutto, eggs, chopped garlic, parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and soaked bread in a bowl until you obtain a smooth mixture.
In a pan, sauté the crushed garlic clove, onion, carrot and celery in the olive oil. Meanwhile, roll the mince mixture into a tubular shape, then roll it through the breadcrumbs and add it to the pan to brown.
Add the red wine and when it has evaporated, add the tomatoes, salt and ground black pepper.
Cook on low heat for about 1 hour. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust to taste if necessary.
Remove the meatloaf from the pan and lay it on a platter, slice and serve the slices covered in their sauce along with your favourite side dish.
