How to make Farsumagru

The Farsumagru or Sicilian Stuffed rolled meat. This delicious and much celebrated Sicilian dish is very popular and is cooked all over Sicily.

According to the province or even the neighborhood where it is made, there are variations in the stuffing and on the way of cooking it.

It is called Farsumagru, which literally means false (deceptive) lean (as meager, poor), and in fact, to the contrary, it is a rich and great tasting festive food. 

The Farsumagru that in my family also called Bruciolone was cooked usually on Sundays or on special occasions.

The word Bruciolone comes from bruciare– to burn- because when you sauté this rolled meat, factually you have to slightly burn it.

This recipe is not as complicated as it may appear. If executed the way we will present it, the end result will be appreciated by you and your guests.

SERVINGS: Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:

For the Rolle’

• 2 lb. of veal, one slice, about 8 by 12 inches. If it is not this size or larger, beat the veal with a meat mallet, between two sheets of plastic wrap to size and to a thickness of about ¼ of an inch
• Butcher twine to tie Rolle’
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• ½ lb. chopped meat
• ½ lb. sausage without the casing
• Salt and pepper
• 1 hard boiled egg cut in quarters
• ½ lb. sliced pancetta (non smoked bacon cured with salt) or Mortadella
• 1 finely minced clove of garlic
• ½ cup of flaked parmesan or diced Provoletta cheese
• ¼ cup of your preferred grated cheese
• ¼ cup currants or raisins soaked in warm water
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup Italian parsley
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs toasted with 1 tablespoon of oil

For cooking the Rolle’

• Left over oil and fat from cooking stuffing
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 cup of white wine
• 8 oz. tomato paste diluted in 2 qt. of water
• Basil leaves

METHOD:

1. In a large sauté pan over a medium flame, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil, add the onions and sauté until golden color.
2. At about 7 minutes, add chopped meat, the sausage and cook it for about 5 minutes, stirring continuously.
3. Pick up the cooked meat with a skimmer. The oil and fat left in the pan will be used to sauté the stuffed meat roll.

Making the rolle’

1. Put the widest side of the veal in front of you.
2. Sprinkle with the minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place the sliced pancetta to cover the meat and add flaked parmesan cheese.
4. Combine the meat filling with currants (drained) and pine nuts.
5. Spread the meat lengthwise filling mostly in center and place eggs on top, then sprinkle the grated cheese, breadcrumbs and the parsley.
6. Roll the veal in the shape of a big salami, tie it with the butcher twine, gently winding it around and lengthwise. Then run the twine two times around, making sure it is not too tight to squeeze out the stuffing.

Cooking the rolle’

1. Add the fat reserved from cooking the stuffing in the sauté pan where the stuffing was made.
2. Sauté  the rolled veal over a medium flame with 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Add chopped onion and keeping turning when it is lightly browned on all sides. Cook until onions are lightly golden.
4. Then add wine and scrape the bottom of the skillet for any pieces of meat or onion stuck to it.
5. Finally, add diluted tomato paste, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then simmer for one hour.

Serving Suggestions

1. Let the Farsumagru cool for 15 minutes.
2. Then remove twine, slice it ¾ inch thick.
3.  Then arrange on a serving dish, and finish with its sauce.
4. Serve with patate al forno, baked potatoes and a salad.
5.  Use the extra sauce as a condiment for pasta for a complete dinner.

Variations

1. To cook the stewed Falsomagro “Aggrassato”, follow the cooking direction above and use 2 chopped onions.
2. After you add the wine, replace the tomato paste and water with about 2 quarts of beef broth to add a little at a time. Use parsley instead of basil.
   
   

Source: https://siciliancookingplus.com/recipe-items/rolled-meat-farsumagru/

BUON MANGIATA!