FIFINONO – a blog about cultural exploration

History of meatballs

It’s unclear who started cooking meat in ball shapes.  Some say it originated from Persia and then taken to the West. The ancient Roman cookbook Apicius also included many meatball recipes. At FIFI’s hometown Shandong, a special kind of meatball – “Four Joy Meatball” also has a very long history – Qin dynasty (221 BC to 207 BC)

Histories aside, we love the comfort and satisfaction of biting a juicy meatball, with various recipes around the world!

Today we’ll start with Boulets à la Liégeoise – a classic meatball recipe from Liège, Belgium.

1. Belgium: Boulets à la Liégeoise

This classic Belgian dish is made from minced pork and veal, bread crumb, onion, and parsley, and then simmered in a sweet and sour sauce. And of course, it is served together with the famous Belgian fries and some refreshing beer!

2. Sweden: köttbullar

Most of us are so familiar with this one thanks to IKEA. They are usually a little smaller than the American meatballs and usually served in rich and creamy gravy sauce, with potatoes. Different parts of Sweden all add some unique touch to the recipe and is widely thought of as Sweden’s national dish!

3. India: Kofte

Kofte is originated from India and now widespread across the Indian subcontinent, South Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Central Asian cuisines. It usually consists of beef, chicken, lamb or mutton, pork, or a mixture, then mixed with spices or onions. The Indian Koftes are served in a spicy curry with rice or a variety of bread such as Chapati, making it very different from the European style.

4. China: Si Xi Wan Zi

Of course, FIFINONO can’t forget the “Four Joy Meatball” from FIFI’s hometown – Shandong province in China. In Shanghai, there’s also a similar recipe called “Lion’s head”. (Creativity is essential in our dish names. ) They are both made of pork mince, eggs, chopped green onions, but “Four Joy Meatballs” dish can only have four meatballs in the plate and represent prosperity, longevity, and good fortune. Also, the northern style is usually richer with more soy sauce.

The exploration of world meatballs is not over! Maybe most of the countries have their own unique “meatball”. But FIFI and NONO are full now.

It’s fascinating to find these similarities in different cultural cuisines! What kind of meatballs do you have in your culture? Leave a comment!