It’s officially autumn, so wave farewell to summer, wrap yourself in something cozy, and make some meatballs. Meatballs are like a warm hug. They are unpretentious, homey, and unfailingly comforting—just like that sweater you’re about to put on.
Meatballs are also universally pleasing. Most cuisines seem to have a version of a meatball, with “meat” being the variable term. The iterations are numerous and diverse, yet consistent, from the traditional meaty marriage of beef and pork to fishy concoctions such as Danish fiskefrikadeller or Brazilian bolinho de bacalhau to vegetarian no-meatballs constructed of lentils and beans. Falafel, anyone?