Recipes

Ricotta Fritters (Polpette di Ricotta)

  • Serves

    makes 20 fritters

ANDRÉ BARANOWSKI

Chilling the ricotta-prosciutto mixture after mixing it allows the flavors to come together and makes the balls easier to form.

Find this recipe in our cookbook, SAVEUR: Italian Comfort Food

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 12 tsp. crushed red chile flakes
  • (1) 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 6 basil leaves, torn in half
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought ricotta
  • 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 12 cup grated pecorino
  • 13 cup grated mozzarella
  • 1 tsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 12 tsp. grated lemon zest
  • 18 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 3 egg yolks plus 2 eggs
  • 4 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto, finely chopped
  • 14 cup flour
  • 12 cup dried bread crumbs
  • Canola oil, for frying

Instructions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add chile flakes; toast for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and basil, bring to a boil, lower heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce begins to thicken, 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low; keep warm.

Step 2

Stir together ricotta, fresh bread crumbs, pecorino, mozzarella, parsley, lemon zest, nutmeg, egg yolks, and prosciutto in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper; cover and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Step 3

Put flour, whole eggs, and dried bread crumbs into 3 separate shallow dishes; whisk eggs. Using your hands, form chilled ricotta mixture into 1 1⁄2" balls. Working with 1 ball at a time, dredge in flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs, shaking off any excess. Transfer to a parchment paper–lined sheet tray.

Step 4

Pour enough canola oil into a 4-quart saucepan that it reaches a depth of 2". Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350°. Working in batches, fry the ricotta balls, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the balls to a paper towel–lined plate. Serve with the tomato sauce.

Continue to Next Story

Want more SAVEUR?

Get our favorite recipes, stories, and more delivered to your inbox.