False Birds on a Skewer

It used to be common to eat sparrows in Italy, until the protests of bird lovers and an increasing concern for wildlife made eating small birds virtually obsolete. However, the custom still persists in a few areas, especially in Lombardia and the Veneto, where they are roasted and eaten with polenta. Here, thin slices of veal are rolled up to make small faggots in a shape similar to sparrows but, in my opinion, tastier.