08/27/2026
Polpettone Palermitano di JuLā
Honoring my great-great-grandfather Gianni Torregiano's roots
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients:
* 1.5 lbs lean ground pork
* 1/2 cup authentic Italian cheese blend (Mozzarella, Parmesan, or Pecorino)
* 1–2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
* 1–2 tbsp authentic Italian seasoning blend
* Dried basil and oregano, to taste
* Minced garlic, to taste
* Salt and pepper, to taste
* 1 cup Italian panko breadcrumbs
* Thinly sliced onions & red, green, and yellow bell peppers
* Optional: Chili peppers or red pepper flakes (for an extra kick)
* Optional: A small pad of unsalted butter (for extra richness)
* Warmed marinara sauce (served on the side)
Instructions:
1. Preheat: Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix & Shape Base: In a bowl, combine ground pork, cheese blend, olive oil, Italian seasonings, basil, oregano, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Press into your baking pan.
3. Add Panko: Evenly spread Italian panko breadcrumbs over the meat.
4. Add Veggies, Heat & Butter: Top with thinly sliced onions, bell peppers, and chili peppers if you like a little heat. Add a small pad of unsalted butter on top if desired.
5. Bake & Rest: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cooked through and crisp. Rest 5 minutes, then serve with warm marinara.