Can you mince the meat to order?
PUO ma-chi-NA-re la KAR-ne al mo-MEN-to
Asking the supermarket butcher to mince meat fresh at the counter rather than buying pre-packaged mince.
Freshly minced meat (carne macinata al momento) is considered superior to pre-packaged mince because it has a shorter time from slaughter to use, fresher flavour, and known composition. Italian butchers and supermarket meat counters can mince any cut on request.
Mi macina questo pezzo di manzo?
Can you mince this piece of beef for me?
Pointing to a specific cut to be minced
Quanta percentuale di grasso vuole?
What percentage fat do you want?
Butcher asking about the fat ratio — 15–20% is ideal for ragù
Misto manzo e maiale, per favore.
Mixed beef and pork, please.
Specifying a blend — common for meatballs and ragù
Italian polpette (meatballs) traditionally use a blend of beef and pork mince, breadcrumbs soaked in milk, egg, parsley, Parmigiano, and nutmeg. They are not typically served with spaghetti in Italy — that is an Italian-American invention. In Italy, polpette are served as a secondo (second course).