Codfish balls

Name: Codfish balls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 25
Ingredients: Cod salted cod 1.7 lbs; Garlic 1 clove; Bread breadcrumbs 1.67 cups; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese to grate 2.8 oz; Black pepper to taste; Parsley to chop 1 tuft; Thyme 2 sprigs; Eggs 3; Breadcrumbs to taste; Fine salt to taste; Type 00 flour to taste; Vegetable oil to taste

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162

Calories per serving

Lactose Free

Energy Kcal 162
Carbohydrates g 8.9
of which sugars g 0.3
Protein g 9.6
Fats g 9.8
of which saturated fat g 2.42
Fiber g 0.4
Cholesterol mg 42
Sodium mg 709

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Makes: 25 pieces
Cost: Average
Note + 2 days of soaking the codfish

PRESENTATION

Polpette di baccalà is this delicious gem from southern Italy. It's like the crispy magic of fried fish mixed with the bright zing of Italian herbs. Really, it's something special. These Italian fish balls are made with salt cod, parsley, and thyme, creating a flavor combo that really, really works. It's a fresh twist on the usual baccalà recipes. Instead of stewing for hours, you've got these quick, golden bites—perfectly crunchy outside. Seriously good.

In Italy's coastal spots, salt cod fritters have been around forever. They offer a more tender, flavorful take on regular fried fish. The herbs give a fresh kick, balancing the cod's richness, making each bite moist and slightly herby. Not too heavy. You know?

Italian home cooks, they love to get creative with polpette di baccalà. It's true! They toss in personal touches based on whatever's in the kitchen. You might find different herbs or a dash of lemon zest to really brighten up that fishy goodness. And listen, you'll see similar recipes for codfish balls in places like Naples and Calabria. Salted cod is like a big deal in many Italian seafood recipes.

These tasty bites? Great as snacks, party food, or part of a meal with salad or veggies. What makes it exciting is swapping the fish. Italy's got a ton of salted cod dishes, and using other fish keeps things way, way more interesting. This flexibility? It's at the heart of these crispy, tangy bites: use what you have and make something that feels like a cherished family recipe. Really.

So when you're bored of the usual, these Italian fish balls offer a fresh, herby twist on a classic dish. Perfect for anyone who loves a taste of southern Italy—no question. And the sauce? That's up to you!

INGREDIENTS

162

Calories per serving

Ingredients for 25 balls: Cod 1.7 lbs (750 g) - salted cod; Garlic 1 clove; Bread 1.67 cups (100 g) - breadcrumbs; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 2.8 oz (80 g) - to grate; Black pepper to taste; Parsley 1 tuft - to chop; Thyme 2 sprigs; Eggs 3; Breadcrumbs to taste; Fine salt to taste; Type 00 flour to taste

for frying: Vegetable oil to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Codfish balls

To prepare codfish balls, first desalinate the cod by rinsing it well under running water and soaking it for two days in cold water, changing the water at least twice a day. Meanwhile, place the breadcrumbs in a mixer 1, blend it finely, and put it in a bowl 2. After two days, dry the cod well 3

then cut it into pieces 4. Remove the bones from the cod fillets with the help of tweezers and finely chop them with a knife, or put them in the mixer for a few seconds (5-6).

In a large bowl, place the chopped breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme, garlic 7, cod 8, and finally the grated Parmesan cheese 9.

Then add two eggs 10 and season with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine everything into a compact dough. With your hands, form small balls from the mixture 11 and place them on a tray. Prepare three bowls: one for the flour, one for the breadcrumbs, and one for a beaten egg. Roll the balls first in the flour 12,

then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs 13. Fry the balls in hot vegetable oil 14. When the balls are golden, drain them with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels 15 to absorb the excess oil.

Tip

Codfish balls can also be baked: grease a baking tray with extra virgin olive oil, place the balls on it, and bake them for about 20 minutes at 350°F, turning them halfway through cooking.

Also try Fried Cod with Avocado Cream, a tasty and enticing variant!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.