Keftedes (Meat Balls)

Keftedes are meatballs and each family has its own recipe depending on which part of the country they come from.    All Greek meatballs are made with soaked bread, others soak it in water and others in milk.  Usually ground beef is added, garlic and oregano.  Some add spices such as allspice or cumin and in the islands they add wine vinegar and in some parts ouzo.

Cypriot keftedes are made with potato, lots of mint and cinnamon.

Keftedes:  Greek meatballs

Time of preparation: 15′

Frying time: 20 – 30′

Yields: about 52 meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 kilo ground beef
• 4 slices white bread without the crust
• 1 cup milk
• 2 red onions, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped oregano
• ½ tsp allspice
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint or 1 tablespoon dried
• 2 eggs
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Flour, for dredging
• Olive oil for frying

Directions

1. Remove the crust from the bread and soak in milk.   When soft, squeeze to drain the milk.
2. In a food processor add one of the eggs together with the onions and garlic and process.  Add to the minced meat together with the bread, the mint and finely chopped oregano, the other egg, salt, pepper and allspice.
3. Mix very well.
4. Leave the mixture in the refrigerator for about ½ an hour or more.
5. Shape them into small round balls or oval before frying.
6. Dredge them in flour and fry them in hot olive oil on medium heat, until browned on all sides through the middle.

Drain on paper towels and serve as is, with roasted vegetables or Greek Salad and tzatziki or Garlicky cucumber yoghurt salad.

The recipe for the Cypriot meatballs is included in my cookbook.

Other relevant recipes:

Soutzoukakia Smyrneika (meatballs in tomato sauce)

Meatballs in pomegranate sauce

Giouvalakia (meatballs in avgolemono (egg-lemon) sauce

Sheftalia in Pita

Bon Appetite!

Tags: Fried, Ground meat, Keftedes, Meatballs, Pork, Veal - Beef