Myristica fragrans

Nutmeg

Warm wood, sweet camphor, a hint of milk.

Where it comes from. The Moluccas. Venice brought it to Italy; it never left the meatballs.

The mistake everyone makes. Using pre-ground powder. Whole nutmeg, grated now, is another spice entirely.

An unexpected Italian use. In meatballs, in béchamel, over pasta e broccoli in broth.

The recipe. Beef meatballs, parmesan, generous nutmeg, fried or braised. Tradition wants this, not pepper.

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