Oxtail Meatballs alla Vaccinara, a leftover recipe.
After making oxtail alla vaccinara, I used the leftovers to dress pasta and decided to make meatballs.
Oxtail alla vaccinara is a typical Roman dish that requires long and patient cooking times.
I took a part of the meat, let it drain, collected the sauce and set it aside, and served the meatballs with its sauce.
A bit of History
The name oxtail alla vaccinara refers to the meat slaughtered for the vaccinari, inhabitants of the Roman district Regola, where the recipe was so widespread that residents were nicknamed “vaccinari-tail eaters”.
Originally, the recipe for oxtail alla vaccinara had a secret ingredient, but today the mystery has been revealed, it is “cocoa”.
Thanks to sora Ferminia, daughter of the founder of the restaurant, the host Checchino.
In 1890, the workers of the Testaccio slaughterhouse would deliver the tails they received as pay to Ferminia, and she would prepare this dish.
Over time, the dish has been enriched with raisins, pine nuts, and cocoa, lending its flavor a touch of delicacy.

Ingredients

Here’s what we need to make the

14 oz oxtail (alla vaccinara deboned click on my recipe here)
1 egg
1 cup breadcrumbs (plus to taste)
to taste chopped parsley
1.75 oz Pecorino Romano (grated)
2 tablespoons flour
to taste salt
to taste pepper
to taste vegetable oil

Tools

What we need to make the

1 Knife
1 Bowl
1 Pan

Steps

Let’s go to the kitchen

After cooking the oxtail alla vaccinara, remove the bone, and set the meat and sauce aside separately.
Chop the meat and transfer it into a bowl along with the breadcrumbs, egg, a pinch of salt and pepper, a fresh parsley chop, 2 tablespoons of flour, and grated Pecorino Romano.
Knead and…
…form the meatballs that you need to roll in breadcrumbs,
Set them aside, removing the excess breadcrumbs.
Meanwhile, heat plenty of vegetable oil in a pan and fry them until they are beautifully golden.
Now, heat the oxtail sauce, fill the bottom of a plate, and place the meatballs on top.
Here are the Oxtail Meatballs alla Vaccinara ready.
With the same sauce, you can dress the pasta.
And here is the oxtail alla vaccinara.