The pumpkin, smoked cheese, and ham meatballs are a very tasty, delicious second course that can be prepared in half an hour. They are simple, just requiring Mantua pumpkin, smoked cheese, cooked ham, and a breadcrumb coating. You can then cook them in a pan with a little extra virgin olive oil. If you like meatballs, here are some ideas:

Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Cheap
Preparation time: 20 Minutes
Portions: 4 people
Cooking methods: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients for making pumpkin, provola, and ham meatballs

1 1/10 lbs Mantua pumpkin
3 1/2 oz cooked ham
3 1/2 oz smoked cheese
1 pinch salt
as needed breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese

Steps for making pumpkin, smoked cheese, and ham meatballs

To make the pumpkin, smoked cheese, and ham meatballs, first cut the pumpkin into not-too-large pieces and cook it in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil along with a sprig of chopped rosemary. It should become nice and soft. Sauté it for a couple of minutes with extra virgin olive oil and then pour in half a cup of water and cover with a lid. It will cook in about 15 minutes. While waiting for the pumpkin to cook, prepare the meatball filling. Cut the smoked cheese into small pieces and also the cooked ham. I used fresh ham from the deli counter, but you can also use pre-diced ham.
When the pumpkin is ready, mash it with a fork and pour it into a large bowl. Then add 1 medium egg, a pinch of salt or more according to your taste, a dash of black pepper, chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, and finally add the previously chopped smoked cheese and ham.
Shape all the meatballs by taking a portion of the mixture and place them all on a plate. Roll the meatballs in breadcrumbs and meanwhile heat some extra virgin olive oil in a pan and now cook the meatballs until golden brown. Turn them occasionally. It will take about 6-7 minutes. Drain them on absorbent paper to let the excess oil drip off.
Your pumpkin, smoked cheese, and ham meatballs are now ready to be served.