Savoury Involtini Alla Siciliana, Delicious Dish
There have been many dishes we have tried recently, but none of them have come as close to delicious as these involtini alla siciliana. Think of them as a beautiful cross of sweet and savoury, crunchy and smooth but also tender and holding a good bite. Literally, all you can dream of in a dish, or two even, all included in one bite.
Involtini alla Siciliana, or Sicilian-style involtini, is a classic Italian dish originating from Sicily. Involtini refers to thinly sliced meat, typically beef or veal, rolled around a filling, while alla Siciliana indicates the Sicilian-style preparation. This dish is a wonderful blend of Mediterranean flavours and often features ingredients commonly found in Sicilian cuisine.
The filling for involtini alla Siciliana typically includes a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated cheese such as Parmesan or Pecorino, garlic, parsley, pine nuts, and sometimes raisins or anchovies for extra flavour depth. The thinly sliced meat is rolled around this flavorful filling, secured with toothpicks or kitchen twine, and then cooked in a pan with some olive oil. Some other versions also have them cooked in tomato sauce, but we have preferred the plain one.
Involtini alla Siciliana are typically braised in olive oil until the meat is tender and the flavours have melded together beautifully. The end result is a hearty and comforting dish that’s bursting with Mediterranean flavours and textures.
Let’s get making these involtini alla Siciliana together then
You might have gathered Sicily holds a strong place in our hearts. Mainly because our dad (and Simona!) were born there, and part of our family and heritage are still connected to it. So you have seen plenty of recipes from Sicily so far, including:
- this pistachio lasagna from last week;
- the pistachio granita you all deserve to try;
- something as delicious and easy as this gelo di limone;
- the pistachio cream you’ll be eating by the spoon;
- a recipe for limoncello and the panna cotta we made with it;
- the yummy recipe for pane cunzato;
- this delicious pesto alla siciliana is easy to make and oh-so delicious;
- and lastly, this biancomangiare recipe, a 10-minute dessert you will adore.
What ingredients do I need for the involtini alla siciliana?
Let’s break down each ingredient and its role in creating the delicious flavours of involtini alla Siciliana:
- Thinly Sliced Veal: Thinly sliced veal serves as the wrapper for the filling, providing a tender and delicate base for the flavours to meld together. Veal is traditionally used in Italian cuisine for its tender texture and mild flavour, which pairs wonderfully with the bold flavours of the filling;
- Red Onion: Red onion adds a sweet and slightly pungent flavour to the meat as it cooks;
- Bay Leaves: Bay leaves impart a subtle herbal aroma and flavour to the skewers;
- Caciocavallo Cheese: Caciocavallo is a semi-hard cheese with a creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavour. When grated and mixed into the filling, it adds richness and depth of flavour, melting beautifully as the involtini cook;
- Pine Nuts: Pine nuts contribute a nutty crunch and richness to the filling. When toasted, they release their oils and become fragrant, adding depth and complexity to the overall flavour profile;
- Onion: Additional onion, finely chopped, enhances the savoury profile of the filling and complements the sweetness of the red onion in the skewers;
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright and herbaceous note to the filling, balancing out the richness of the cheese and nuts;
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a light and crispy texture to the filling, binding the ingredients together and adding a delicate crunch to each bite;
- Raisins: Raisins contribute a subtle sweetness and chewy texture to the filling, balancing the savoury and salty flavours of the cheese and nuts;
- Olive Oil and Salt: Olive oil binds the filling together and adds richness, while salt enhances the overall flavour profile, balancing the sweetness of the raisins and the richness of the cheese.
A simple mixture of olive oil and breadcrumbs is used to coat the outside of the involtini alla siciliana before cooking. This creates a crispy and golden exterior, adding textural contrast to the tender meat and flavorful filling.
How do I make the involtini alla Siciliana?
Making these involtini alla Siciliana it’s pretty easy and quick. As long as you have all the ingredients on hand, prepped and ready to go, you will get these ready in less than 45 minutes. Let’s see together how to make them.
You’ll start to prepare the filling: in a mixing bowl, combine grated caciocavallo cheese, toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, panko breadcrumbs, raisins, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. You will also need the onion chopped finely and cook it for 5 minutes over medium heat in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Once cooked, add it to the ingredients and mix everything until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste, if necessary.
Afterwards, grab some skewers and set them aside. Grab the red onion and cut it in quarters, and place the bay leaf aside ready to be put on the skewers.
Next, you need to prepare the veal: lay the thinly sliced veal pieces flat on a clean work surface. Spoon a portion of the filling onto each veal slice, spreading it evenly. Roll up each slice of veal tightly around the filling, then grab a skewer, insert the bay leaf, then the onion quarter, then the filled roll and continue until there is no more space on the skewer. Always close with an onion quarter and a bay leaf.
Once you have prepared all the skewers, brush them on both sides with olive oil and dust with breadcrumbs. Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil to coat the bottom. Cook the involtini for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Once the involtini are cooked through and golden brown on all sides, remove them from the pan and transfer to a serving platter. Serve the involtini alla Siciliana hot, alongside your favourite side dishes or with a simple salad for a complete meal.
Savoury Involtini alla Siciliana
Ingredients
- 1 kg thinly sliced veal
- 1 red onion
- bay leaves
- 150 g caciocavallo cheese
- 50 g pine nuts
- 50 g raisins
- 150 g panko breadcrumbs
- bunch of parsley
- 1 small golden onion
- salt and black pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- fine breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: in a mixing bowl, combine grated caciocavallo cheese, toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, panko breadcrumbs, raisins, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
- Chop the onion finely and cook it for 5-7 minutes over medium heat in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Once cooked, add it to the ingredients and mix everything until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste, if necessary.
- Grab some skewers and set them aside. Grab the red onion, cut it in quarters, and place the bay leaf aside ready to be put on the skewers.
- Next, prepare the veal: lay the thinly sliced veal pieces flat on a clean work surface.
- Spoon a portion of the filling onto each veal slice, spreading it evenly.
- Roll up each slice of veal tightly around the filling, then grab a skewer, insert the bay leaf, then the onion quarter, then the filled roll and continue until there is no more space on the skewer.
- Always close with an onion quarter and a bay leaf.
- Once you have prepared all the skewers, brush them on both sides with olive oil and dust with breadcrumbs.
- Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil to coat the bottom.
- Cook the involtini for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the involtini are cooked through and golden brown on all sides, remove them from the pan and transfer to a serving platter.
Notes
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Now that you have the recipe for these involtini alla Siciliana, it’s time to get prepping! These are absolutely delicious and the filling can be used with other types of meat as well, so get trying and find your perfect option.
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