Uccelli con Polenta

In Venice small birds are used for this – tordi, merli or fringuelli. We used fringuelli which Mariella happened to have in her freezer. Ten small birds weighed 200 g (7 oz). You will probably find quail are more readily available, depending on where you live, but if you do use the small birds you’ll only need to roast them for 30 minutes. I use slices of peppery pancetta for wrapping them.