Korça-style kërrnacka — traditional grilled elongated meatballs

Kërrnacka are Korça’s best-known specialty — elongated meatballs of mixed minced meat (beef, pork and lamb), seasoned with oregano and garlic and grilled. Simple in ingredients but full of flavor, they are the dish that gathers the whole family around the table and carries the scent of the city of serenades.

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

• 250 g ground beef
• 150 g ground pork
• 100 g ground lamb
• 300 g white onion
• 150 g breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• A little olive oil for the grill

PREPARATION STEPS

1. Finely chop the onion and garlic. In a large bowl, mix the three kinds of ground meat.
2. Add the breadcrumbs, flour, baking soda, oregano, peppers and salt. Mix well for 5–10 minutes until the mixture is homogeneous.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2–3 hours (ideally overnight) so the spices meld.
4. With wet hands, form elongated meatballs, about 10 cm long.
5. Heat the grill well, brush lightly with oil and grill the kërrnacka for 10–12 minutes, turning on all sides until golden.
6. Serve hot with yogurt, fresh onion and cornbread or pita.

Time: preparation ~20 minutes (plus 2–3 hours resting in the fridge), grilling 10–12 minutes. Servings: 4.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (free license).