Celery Polpette

Serves: 4

Estell Schumm

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

50

Spice

65

Sweetness

51

Sourness

46

mins

Prep time (avg)

6.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3 cup

Breadcrumbs

1 tbsp

Tomato Paste

1 large

Celery (bunch)

Directions:

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil

2

Cut the celery stalks into 2-inch pieces (reserve the leaves)

3

Boil the celery until tender, about 10 minutes

4

Drain and rinse with cold water, then spin in a salad spinner and pat dry

5

Pulse the celery in a food processor until chopped

6

Squeeze handfuls of the puree in a kitchen towel to remove excess water

7

Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

8

Add the celery puree, 1/3 cup parsley, 2 teaspoons minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper

9

Cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes

10

Transfer to a bowl and let cool

11

Reserve the skillet

12

Mix the eggs, breadcrumbs and parmesan into the celery mixture

13

Roll into about 16 small balls; refrigerate until firm, 20 to 30 minutes

14

Heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat

15

Add the celery balls and cook, turning, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes

16

Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain

17

Pour off half of the oil from the skillet

18

Add the tomato paste, the remaining 1 teaspoon minced garlic and the red pepper flakes; cook over medium heat until the garlic starts to brown, about 1 minute

19

Add 2/3 cup water and whisk until emulsified, about 30 seconds

20

Return the celery balls to the sauce and heat through

21

Add the reserved celery leaves and the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley

22

Photograph by Anna Williams