Sofia Minciotti’s Polpettone in Crosta: Italian for Meatloaf

Polpettone in Crosta. An Italian take on Meatloaf takes the dish to another level!

“Meatloaf” never looked more spectacular or tasted anything quite like Sofia’s Polpettone. Its crunchy shell of puff pastry revealed a richly seasoned pork and veal mixture greatly enhanced a handful of finely grated Parmesan cheese.When I saw my Italian sister, Sofia lovingly fuss over what looked to be a filet of beef, I knew something special was cooking.  Left to overnight in her Milano kitchen, the next day ‘the filet’ was retrieved and covered in puff pastry.  Beautifully baked, it was proudly served at dinner to the entire family of 9. It might have been Christmas Day lunch when serving this dish is a family tradition.  Its name is Polpettone in Crosta.  And much to my amazement, that translates to “Meatloaf”.  Its crunchy shell of puff pastry revealed a richly seasoned pork and veal mixture greatly enhanced a handful of finely grated Parmesan cheese. It was so good, I cooked one the moment I got home.

Meatloaf dates to the late 4^th or early 5^th Century.  This one dates to the 16th Century and the Cook of the Popes.

Apicius’ collection of Roman Recipes included the first known meatloaf. However, today’s recipe is closer to that of  Bartolomeo Scappi, Cook to the Popes, who included it in his 1570 cookbook.  How did it get its name, “Polpettone”?  “Polpetti” are meatballs in Italian. Polpettone can translate to ‘large meatball’. As the Roman Empire expanded, meatloaf was incorporated into German, Scandinavian. Belgian and Dutch cuisine.  Scappi’s recipe didn’t undergo many changes until the end of the 18th century when numerous variations appeared including stuffed and vegetarian meatloaves.  In America, Meatloaf had its origins in colonial Pennsylvania Dutch kitchens. That version included “scrapple” a blend of ground pork and cornmeal. Surprisingly, the modern American meatloaf with its reliance on ground beef didn’t appear until the 1900s.

Back to the Polpettone and how to make it.

In Sofia’s Polpettone, the two types of meat appeared to be one solid piece. To achieve that texture, use a food processor to blend the meat. Also, use the food processor to reduce both bread and Parmigiano to a very fine texture. For seasoning, I used Basil, Oregano, Thyme, and Garlic Flakes, a wonderfully aromatic Italian mix. Next, form the meatloaf into a rectangle.  Put the finished loaf onto parchment paper large enough to encase it completely.  Bake it for 40 minutes and, still in parchment paper, put it in the fridge overnight to intensify the flavors of the finished dish.   The next day, allow 40 minutes to defrost the store-bought puff pastry.  Then spread it out.  Unwrap the meatloaf and encase it in the pastry.  Brush it with egg, bake and serve. Here is the recipe and other Italian favorites, including Sofia’s Pasta Fagioli and the story of how we became family.

Polpettone in Crosta

December 2, 2021

Servings: 10-12

Difficulty: A very impressive recipe that's actually very easy.

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A crunchy shell of puff pastry reveals a richly seasoned pork and veal mixture enhanced with a handful of finely grated Parmesan cheese.

By: Monte Mathews

Ingredients

• 900 g of Mixed minced meat ( or 1 lb. ground veal and 1 lb. of ground pork)
• 2 eggs
• 100 g or 4 oz. Parmesan
• 2 slices of white bread, crusts removed and dipped into water then squeezed dry
• 1 tsp Dried Basil
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Thyme
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 1 pkg Puff pastry
• 1 Egg Yolk (for brushing the surface of the Puff Pastry)

Directions

• Step 1 Using a food processor, combine the meats and puree until finely minced.
• Step 2 Preheat oven to 350F or 180C.
• Step 3 Put the minced meat in a large bowl, add salt, spices, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and the breadcrumbs previously softened in water and squeezed.
• Step 4 Mix everything with your hand and add the breadcrumbs to make the meatloaf dough more compact.
• Step 5 On a table place a sheet of parchment paper, sprinkle it with breadcrumbs shape the meatloaf with your hands.
• Step 6 Wrap it in parchment paper, put it in a baking tray, and cook in the oven for about 40 minutes.
• Step 7 When it is cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool, still covered in parchment. Move it to the refrigerator and leave it there overnight.
• Step 8 When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350F or 180C. Removed Puff Pastry from the freezer 40 minutes before cooking.
• Step 9 Preparation of puff pastry: On a work surface, spread the puff pastry roll.
• Step 10 Take the meatloaf out of the parchment paper and mold the puff pastry around it. You can artfully pierce the dough with a fork and use any excess dough around the perimeter of the meatloaf.
• Step 11 Bake for 20 minutes until the dough is golden brown. Cool slightly and serve.

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