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What makes a good meatball?
Every culture has its own take on this classic recipe, and come Sunday afternoon, guests of the American Swedish Historical Museum will have an opportunity to pass judgment at the Great Meatball Match Up. The idea for the competition first emerged among the full-time staff last August during a discussion on the “Go Swedish!” exhibition currently on display through January at the 1900 Pattison Ave. building.
“Meatballs are a big part of Swedish food — or at least a famous part of Swedish food,” Caroline Rossy, the museum’s membership and marketing coordinator said, “and we just thought that there are all different kinds of cultures and countries that have meatballs.”
She recruited participants by visiting restaurants and sending out letters to area business owners. In all, 32 contestants will keep the meatballs rolling from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. About seven or eight will be making Swedish meatballs.
The competition is taking place in the museum’s assembly room with a cash bar and free bread along with the meatballs. Local author Joe DiLeonardo will be signing copies of his memoir, “Super Glue: Bonding for Life.” After taking a taste-bud tour of the spherical samples, attendees may vote on the best of the meatballs offered by the professional participants. In turn, representatives from the restaurants will select a winner among the amateurs.
Call it a tasty tie-in to the “Go Swedish! Smörgåsbord and Beyond” exhibit highlighting the evolution of Swedish foods through cultural exchange and technological innovations.
Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill and Italian Restaurant, 1026 Wolf St., Chef’s Table Catering, 231 South St., Pastifico, 1528 Packer Ave., Popi’s Italian Restaurant, 3120 S. 20th St., Nam Phuong Restaurant, 1100 Washington Ave., Villa di Roma, 936 S. Ninth St., and P&S Ravioli, 1722 W. Oregon Ave. and 1640 S. 10th St., are among the local participants.
Each of the restaurants plan on offering its own unique twist on the meatball. Bomb Bomb, famous for its award-winning barbecue fare, has been in business since 1951 and according to Deb Barbato, wife of owner Frank Barbato, it is “one of the oldest family-owned restaurants still remaining in South Philadelphia.” Chef Fred Tupper will be preparing his version based on his personal recipe.
“He makes them like your grandmom would make them,” Barbato said.
Chef’s Table Catering plans on serving a light and tender veal Swedish meatball.
“As caterers, we give food away every day,” owner Edward P. Barranco said.
In addition to his penchant for generosity, Barranco hopes the competition will offer a serving of fun along with a chance for residents to learn about his 27-year- old business.
Vietnamese restaurant Nam Phuong will serve up meatballs served in peanut sauce.
“We’ve never done something like this before,” owner Jeff Young said, “so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
A part of the Italian Market for 47 years, Villa di Roma is no stranger to meatball battles. On the Oct. 14 episode of Food Network’s “Food Feuds,” the restaurant competed with Ralph’s Italian Restaurant to determine the best meatballs in Philadelphia.
“Any time that there’s a competition — and it’s generally something that’s local — we like to get involved,” bartender Frank DeLuca said.
He hopes to be able to introduce participants to the unique flavor and consistency of Villa’s famous dish.
While this is the first contest to be held on the site, the museum has hosted its fair share of food-related events throughout its 84-year history. During the summertime, the Crayfish Party commemorates the Swedish tradition of Kräftskiva — a celebration of the beginning of the crayfish season in the Nordic countries that takes places every August. The Pea Soup Dinner is a throwback to medieval Sweden, when the heavy dish became an important Thursday meal before Friday fasting in the newly-turned Catholic country. Wintertime boasts the Julebord, a Christmas dinner served during the first weekend in December, as well as Semlor, a February event in which coffee and semla, a Swedish cream-filled puff pastry, are served.
But this weekend, it’s all about the beef. If the stomach needs a break from all the tasting, guests may tour the country’s oldest Swedish museum during this after-hours event. Currently, the site is host to two additional exhibitions. Twelve copperplate etchings by Swedish artist Anders Zorn grace the balcony, while “Material Matters” features a collection of Swedish textiles and watercolor paintings. In addition, the meticulously constructed building boasts 12 permanent galleries and the Nord Library. Every year, the copper roof of the manor home shelters 12,000 visitors interested in viewing the historical and artistic curiosities on display.
The admission price for The Great Meatball Match Up is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and under. If all goes well and the turnout for the evening is significant, Rossy said she hopes that the meatball competition will become an annual event. SPR
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