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Carnival Meatballs: Tuscan Dish for Fat Tuesday

Tender and flavorful meatballs with a nutty crunch, perfect for Carnival.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Carnival Meatballs, Tuscan Meatballs
Servings: 6

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Oven
  • Baking tray with parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Food processor or meat grinder
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 1.3 lbs veal meat or ground veal
  • 3 cups day-old bread cubed
  • 2 carrots oughly chopped
  • 2 celery stalks roughly chopped
  • 2 onions roughly chopped
  • 2 cups canned peeled tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • ¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 bunch parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup raisins soaked in warm water
  • ½ cup red wine
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Bread crumbs for coating
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prep the Veggies: Peel and chop carrots, onions, and celery. Use a sharp knife to make small incisions in the veal and insert a mix of parsley and garlic for flavor.
    1.3 lbs veal meat, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 2 onions, 1 garlic clove, 1 bunch parsley
  • Brown the veal meat: In a large pot, heat olive oil and brown the veal on all sides. Deglaze with red wine, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
    ½ cup red wine, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Simmer: Add the peeled tomatoes, mix well, and simmer covered on low heat for about 4 hours. Add water if needed.
    2 cups canned peeled tomatoes
  • Soak Bread: Keep the cooking liquid a bit liquidy to soak the cubed bread.
    3 cups day-old bread, Salt and pepper
  • Prepare Raisins: Soak raisins in warm water.
    ¼ cup raisins
  • Grind Ingredients: Grind the cooked veal and soaked bread with some cooking liquid. Mix in both cheeses, parsley, pine nuts, raisins, and 2 eggs.
    ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, 2 eggs, Bread crumbs, ¼ cup pine nuts
  • Shape Meatballs: Form walnut-sized meatballs from the mixture. Coat them in bread crumbs and place on a parchment-lined baking tray.
  • Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until golden brown. Optionally, brush with beaten egg yolk towards the end.

Notes

  • Adjust seasoning according to taste.
  • Ensure the mixture is not too dry; add more cooking liquid if necessary for moist meatballs.