Cotoletta facts for kids
Cotoletta (pronounced "koh-toh-LET-tah") is an Italian word for a delicious dish made from a thin slice of meat, usually veal. This meat is covered in breadcrumbs and then cooked. The word "cotoletta" comes from "costoletta," which means "little rib," because sometimes a small rib bone is left attached to the meat.
There are many different ways to make cotoletta, not just in Italy but also in other countries around the world. This is because Italian people have moved to many places and shared their wonderful recipes!
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Cotoletta in Italy
Cotoletta is a favorite dish across Italy, with different regions having their own special ways of preparing it.
Milanese Cotoletta
One of the most famous versions is the Cotoletta alla milanese (pronounced "mee-lah-NEH-zeh"). This dish comes from the city of Milan. It is a fried veal cutlet that is similar to a Wiener Schnitzel. However, the Milanese version is often cooked with the bone still in the meat. It is traditionally fried in a special kind of butter called clarified butter.
Because of its unique shape, the Milanese cotoletta is sometimes called oreggia d'elefant in Milanese language, or orecchia d'elefante in Italian. Both names mean "elephant's ear"!
Bolognese Cotoletta
The Cotoletta alla bolognese (pronounced "boh-loh-NYEH-zeh") comes from the city of Bologna. This version is similar to the Milanese cotoletta. But after the veal cutlet is fried, it gets a special topping! Melted Parmesan cheese and pieces of delicious prosciutto (a type of cured ham) are placed on top.
Palermitana Cotoletta
The Cotoletta alla palermitana (pronounced "pah-ler-mee-TAH-nah") comes from Palermo, a city in Sicily. This cotoletta is a bit different from the Milanese one. Instead of being fried, the veal is brushed with olive oil and then baked or grilled. The breadcrumbs used for this version are often mixed with fresh parsley and pecorino cheese. Also, unlike the Milanese cutlet, the Palermitana cutlet does not use eggs in its breading.
Cotoletta Around the World
The delicious idea of cotoletta has traveled far and wide, inspiring similar dishes in other countries.
In Argentina
In Argentina, many breaded meat dishes are inspired by the cotoletta alla milanese. These dishes are known as milanesa. In Argentina and Uruguay, there's a popular dish called Milanesa a la napolitana. It's made like a cotoletta but with cheese and tomato on top, similar to a pizza!
In the United States
In the United States, you might find a dish called Veal parmigiana. This is a mix of the Italian cotoletta and another traditional Italian dish called parmigiana di melanzane. Instead of using eggplant, Veal parmigiana uses a fried veal cutlet. It's then prepared in a similar way, often with tomato sauce and cheese.
