SICILIAN STYLE MEATBALLS

SICILIAN STYLE MEATBALLS image

Yield 36 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 slices of white sandwich bread
4 large eggs, beaten
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon minced marjoram
1 pound ground beef (85/15)
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup dried currants
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
2 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Steps:

In a bowl, soak the bread in water until saturated. Squeeze out the water and transfer the bread to a large bowl. Mash the bread to a paste and stir in the eggs, garlic, parsley, marjoram, 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Mash until smooth. Add the beef, pork, currants, pine nuts and cheese and mix until combined. Add the bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon at a time, and knead until the mixture is firm enough to roll. Form the mixture into 36 meatballs (about 3 tablespoons each), tucking in the currants and pine nuts. In a large, nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Add the meatballs in 2 batches and fry over moderate heat, turning, until browned and cooked through, about 12 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meatballs to a plate. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 30 minutes. 36 meatballs