Pallotte Cace e Ove Abruzzesi
Abruzzo (Chieti and Pescara areas)
Abruzzo's meatless 'meatballs': balls made from stale bread, Pecorino, eggs, and parsley — no meat — fried in olive oil and served in tomato sauce. A wartime and poverty-era dish from when meat was unavailable; the Pecorino provides the protein and fat content that meat would supply. The balls must be properly fried before going into the sauce — a soft, underfried pallotte dissolves. Texture inside should be custardy and cheese-rich; exterior should have a crust from frying. The tomato sauce is simple and brief-cooked to not overwhelm.