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Have you ever heard of mondeghili? These delicious meatballs are a true treasure of Milanese cuisine, a dish that embodies history, tradition and flavor. Be careful, however, not to get confused: meatballs in Milan are cabbage rolls stuffed with meat (Polpett de verz).
Today we will take you on a discovery of this popular Milanese cuisine dish, revealing the original recipe and guiding you through the best places to taste mondeghili in Milan.
What are mondeghili
Milanese mondeghili, are much more than just meatballs. These delicacies represent the ingenuity and creativity of Milan’s poor cuisine, born as a salvage dish to avoid waste. The name “mondeghili” comes from the Spanish word “albondigas,” which in turn comes from the Arabic “al-bundukh,” meaning hazelnut, probably referring to their rounded shape.
Traditionally, mondeghili were prepared using leftover boiled meat, a clever way to give new life to what would otherwise have been discarded. This practice not only reflected the culinary wisdom of the Milanese, but also their practical spirit and ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The original recipe for mondeghili
The original recipe for mondeghili is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can result in an exceptional dish. To prepare them, you will need beef leftover from boiling, eggs, sausage, mortadella, garlic, parsley, grana padano, michetta, milk and butter. In the past, mortadella was replaced with salami (always available).
The preparation process involves putting stale bread in milk, finely chopping the meat, sausage and mortadella, mixing them with the squeezed bread, eggs and cheese, then adding the spices. The mixture is shaped into small balls, dipped in breadcrumbs and fried in hot butter until it forms a golden, crispy crust.
If there is any breadcrumbs left over, an egg and some grana padano cheese can be added and fried in a pan as well. The dish was created precisely to avoid waste in the kitchen. Some people accompany mondeghili with sauces and a good red wine. This is also a great dish for an aperitif when the temperatures drop.
Modern mondeghili: a tradition that is being renewed
In recent years, mondeghili have experienced a real renaissance, gaining a place of honor on the menus of Milan’s most renowned restaurants. Contemporary chefs have reinterpreted this classic recipe, resulting in innovative versions that maintain the essence of the original dish. Some modern variations include the use of finer meats, the addition of herbs or the accompaniment of gourmet sauces. For example, some restaurants offer veal mondeghili with saffron sauce, while others experiment with vegetarian versions using legumes and vegetables.
Where to eat the best mondeghili in Milan
If you are curious to taste these delicious morsels, here are five restaurants in Milan where you can enjoy mondeghili in all their authenticity and in their most creative interpretations.
Al Garghet
Al Garghet is a place where the magic of Milanese cuisine comes to life. Since 1991, this restaurant has been offering a unique dining experience, immersed in an atmosphere that seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. Their mondeghili are a triumph of authentic flavors, masterfully prepared and served with impeccable cooking. Here, you can savor not only the taste, but also the history and passion behind each bite.
Mondeghili: 16 euros.
Address: Via Selvanesco, 36, 20141 Milan, Italy
Testina
Testina is the ideal place for those seeking Milanese authenticity with a touch of innovation. Their mondeghili are a perfect example of how tradition can evolve without losing its identity. Prepared with selected parts of beef and veal, enriched with diced mortadella and fried to perfection, these mondeghili are served with a carrot cream that adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess to the dish.
Mondeghili: 12 euros.
Address: Via Abbadesse, 19, 20124 Milan, Italy
Ratanà
At Ratanà, chef Cesare Battisti’s mondeghili are prepared with veal and served with a saffron aioli sauce for an explosion of delicate but intense flavors. Their “to share” offering is served in a cartoccio with gremolata mayonnaise, perfect for a convivial and informal experience.
Cartoccio di mondeghili with gremolata mayo: 16 euros.
Address: Via Gaetano de Castillia, 28, 20124 Milan, Italy
La Pobbia 1850
At La Pobbia 1850 you can enjoy mondeghili the way they used to be made. Their “I noster mondeghili a la milanesa cont la salsa verda” is a tribute to the most authentic tradition. Served in a familiar and cozy atmosphere, their Milanese meatballs will make you feel like you are a guest in a Milanese home of yesteryear.
Mondeghili a la milanesa cont la salsa verda: 14 euros.
Tajadin cont la salsa de tomates and mondeghili. 13 euro.
Address: Via Gallarate, 92, 20151 Milan, Italy
Clotilde Brera
Clotilde Brera offers a dining experience that combines tradition and contemporaneity, all with a breathtaking view of St. Mark’s Square. Their mondeghili, prepared with veal meat for a lighter but still crispy taste, are a perfect example of how a traditional dish can be reinterpreted to satisfy modern palates. Served with the ever-present salsa verde, these mondeghili are a must for those who want to savor the best of Milanese cuisine in a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere.
Mondeghili and green sauce: 17 euros. They are also featured on the 80 euro Tasting Menu.
Address: Piazza S. Marco, 6, 20121 Milan
Whether you decide to prepare them at home following the traditional recipe or taste them in one of the restaurants we have recommended, mondeghili will win you over with their unique flavor and fascinating history.
Don’t miss the chance to discover this treasure of Milanese cuisine.