
Brain Fritters
Frittelle di Cervella
Golden fritters made from veal or lamb brains, marinated in lemon and fried in butter.
Brain fritters are a main course with a distinctive texture: crispy and golden on the outside, soft and delicate at the center. This recipe highlights veal or lamb brain with a simple preparation, where lemon juice adds a fresh note and oil contributes to the marinade. Flour, egg, and breadcrumbs form a compact coating, while pepper and nutmeg add aroma without overpowering the flavor of the main ingredient. Cooking in hot butter creates a uniform and fragrant surface, which should be kept dry when serving. These fritters can be served as main course together with a mixed salad or included in an assortment of fried foods.
Instructions
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7 steps · natural Italian voice
Soak your brain
60 minPlace the veal or lamb brains in a bowl of cold water and let them rest for about an hour. This helps clean them and makes them easier to work with. Once done, drain them carefully: they should be cold, firm, and free of soaking water.
Blanch it in water
10 minBring to a boil Pour plenty of water into the brains and submerge them. Blanch them for about ten minutes, maintaining a steady but not excessively violent boil. When the surface appears firm and the pulp holds its shape, drain them and transfer them to a plate to cool.
Slice it and season it
Let the brains cool completely, then remove the outer skin and cut them into slices about 1 cm thick. Arrange the slices on a plate, not overlapping them, and drizzle them with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, distributing the dressing evenly.
Let it marinate
30 minCover the seasoned slices and let them rest for about thirty minutes. The brief marinade should flavor the flesh without breaking it apart: when finished, the slices should remain intact and slightly shiny from the oil. Drain them carefully before coating them in the breadcrumbs, making sure the excess liquid doesn't make them soggy.
Prepare the breading
First, coat each slice in white flour, ensuring a thin layer on both sides. Then, dip it in the beaten eggs, season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkling of nutmeg. Finish by coating it in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure they adhere evenly.
Fry in butter
Heat plenty of butter in a skillet Heat until hot and evenly melted, without burning. Arrange the breaded slices and fry until golden and crispy. Turn them only once, carefully, to keep the breading intact and cook both sides.
Serve the pancakes
Drain the fritters from the excess butter and serve them piping hot. The breading should be dry and golden, while the inside should remain soft. Serve them alone with a mixed salad or, as indicated in the recipe, include them in a large mixed fry.
Chef's Tips
The editorial staff recommends draining the slices well after marinating, so that the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs adhere without forming a wet coating and the fried food remains crispy.
Ingredients
- Ingredients for 4 people
- (21.16 oz) 600 g calf (or lamb) brains
- 2 eggs
- the juice of 1 lemon
- (2 tbsp) 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- (2 tbsp) 2 tablespoons of white flour (4 tbsp) 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs nutmeg
- salt and pepper
- butter for frying
Can't find it in the US?
- dry breadcrumbsMost US supermarkets
Plain dry breadcrumbs
Not seasoned Italian-style crumbs and not panko.
⚠️ Automatic ingredient-based detection. Always check product labels.









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