Frikadeller facts for kids
A freshly made batch of Frikadellen
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| Place of origin | Uncertain; supposedly Denmark or Germany |
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| Serving temperature | Hot or cold |
| Main ingredients | Pork, veal, lamb, beef or fish |
| Other information | Generally served with boiled potatoes with gravy, or creamed cabbage |
A frikadelle is a tasty, pan-fried meatball. It's usually made from minced meat and shaped into a flat, round patty. People often think of it as a German type of meatball.
We don't know exactly where frikadeller first came from. The word "frikadelle" is German. But this dish is popular in many places! You can find it in Germany, Scandinavian countries, and Poland. It's even a national dish in Denmark!
In Poland, these meatballs are super popular and called kotlety mielone. In Norway, they are known as kjøttkaker. And in Sweden, they are called pannbiff.
There are many different kinds of frikadeller across Scandinavia. They can be a main meal or a side dish. But watch out! In Sweden, the word frikadeller means meatballs that are boiled, not pan-fried.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The exact origin of the word "frikadelle" is a bit of a mystery. The German word Frikadelle appeared around the late 1600s. It might be linked to the Italian word frittatella or the French fricandeau. These words are all connected to the Latin word frīgere, which means 'to roast'.
In Germany, people use different names for these meatballs. Some call them Boulette or Bulette. Others say Fleischpflanzerl, Fleischlaberl, or Fleischküchle. In Austria, they are known as Faschiertes Laibchen.
Different Kinds of Frikadeller
Danish Frikadeller
In Denmark, traditional frikadeller are made from a mix of minced veal, pork, or beef. Sometimes they use a blend of two meats. Cooks add chopped onions, eggs, milk or water, and bread crumbs. They also use salt and pepper for flavor.
The mixture is shaped into balls using a spoon, then flattened a bit. They are pan-fried until golden brown. People used to use pork fat or beef fat for frying. Today, it's more common to use butter, margarine, or vegetable oil.
There's also a popular fish version called fiskefrikadeller. These use fish, usually cod, instead of meat. They are often served with a special sauce called remoulade.
When served as a main meal, Danish frikadeller usually come with boiled white potatoes and gravy. They might also have pickled beetroot or cooked red cabbage. Another way to eat them is with creamy white cabbage.
Frikadeller are also a favorite on ryebread as a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich called smørrebrød. They are great for picnics or parties too, especially with a cold potato salad. They are easy to transport after cooking!
Indonesian Perkedel
In Indonesia, there's a dish called perkedel. It's similar to frikadeller but came from the Dutch version. The main ingredient for perkedel is not meat, but mashed potato. Sometimes, a little ground meat or corned beef is mixed in.
The potato mixture is shaped into flat, round patties. Then, they are dipped in egg yolk before being deep-fried. Besides mashed potato, perkedel can also be made with ingredients like chili, spring onion, shrimp, corn, or mashed tofu.
fr:Boulette de viande#Europe ja:ミートボール#各国のミートボール zh:肉圓#世界各地的肉圓
See also
In Spanish: Frikadeller para niños
