Involtini di Cavallo

I love horse. No, not horses (though I don’t mind them). I’m talking about horse meat. I don’t honestly remember the first time I ate it but I do know that since visiting Puglia for the first time three years ago, my consumption has considerably increased. In fact, my first proper meal after arriving in Monopoli (near Bari) today was involtini di cavallo, thinly pounded horse cutlets rolled around ham, herbs, cheese, and bread crumbs, all cooked in a rich tomato sauce. I know some people find the idea of eating horse meat offensive, but for generations in Italy, the poor depended on this protein for survival. Today cavallo recipes persist as a reminder of dire times and continue to be consumed, particularly in Puglia, Lazio and the Veneto. So grab your forks and join me in preserving a precious culinary tradition!