Soutzoukakia is a Greek dish that consists of small, spiced meatballs that are cooked in a tomato-based sauce. The meatballs are typically made from a mixture of ground beef and pork, and they are flavoured with garlic, onion, and other spices. The finished meatballs are then skewered and cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. Soutzoukakia can be served as an appetiser or main course, and they are often accompanied by rice or mashed potatoes. For those who enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, Soutzoukakia is a must-try dish. This is my Soutzoukakia recipe - a traditional Greek spiced meatballs recipe. This dish is also known in Greece as Smyrna meatballs, Soutzoukakia Smyrneika or İzmir Köfte. That’s because the dish arrived in Greece via immigrants from Smyrna (now called Izmir), in Anatolia, Turkey, which was often referred to as ‘Asia Minor’. This hearty Greek dish provides a fabulous combination of Mediterranean flavours. The cinnamon gives a gentle warmth, but it is the unique savoury note provided by the cumin that makes Soutzoukakia unlike anything else. These flavoursome meatballs cooked in a rich, thick tomato sauce are definitely considered ‘the main event’ for my family’s dinner (served with either rice or mashed potatoes), but they can also be considered a side dish as part of a larger feast. Please invite me!
