Eggplant Polpette poorly translated into English as Eggplant “Meatballs” is actually a vegetarian dish. The word polpette commonly refers to meat patties cleverly enhanced with herbs, cheese and bread to extend whatever meat is on hand. Over the years, the word seems to have become synonymous with any type of meatball. Polpette is also used when referring to Italian vegetable based patties; Eggplant Polpette are a standard dish, particularly in the southern regions of Italy. Eggplant makes an excellent base for this type of preparation; once it is cooked, it is easy mashed and combines well with numerous flavoring agents. Oh, did I mention the Eggplant Polpette are fried…and honestly who wouldn’t love crispy fried eggplant morsels of goodness?
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All Italian American families from the East Coast have Stuffed Artichokes as part of their repertoire, typically for special occasions. The stuffing is generally bread based and seasoned with parsley, garlic, and of course a generous splash of olive oil. Stuffed Artichokes might include a bit of anchovy, Parmigiano or Pecorino depending upon the coveted family recipe…. 
