Meatballs with spaghetti Coco Pazzo

Preparation

Baking Directions:

To make the meatballs: Place the bread and milk in a medium bowl and let soak for 5 minutes.

Heat a 7- to 8-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, and when it is hot, add the olive oil.

Add the onion and cook until soft and golden, 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and set aside.

Place the veal, beef, pork and sausage in a large bowl and, using your hands, mix well.

Add the oregano, cheeses, eggs, parsley and bread one at a time, mixing until thoroughly combined after each addition.

Add the onion and mix until very well combined.

Add the salt and pepper.

Set aside.

To make the sauce: Heat a 10-quart casserole over medium heat, and when it is hot, add the olive oil.

Add the onion and garlic and cook until wilted.

Add the tomato paste and stir for 1 minute.

Add the wine, tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste if necessary.

While the tomato sauce is cooking, form the meatballs: Take a piece of meat the size of a golf ball and roll it between the palms into a ball.

Add it to the sauce, and repeat with the remaining meatballs.

Return the sauce to a simmer and simmer gently until the meatballs are cooked through, about 1 1/2 hours.

Be sure to cook the meatballs at a  very gentle simmer; if the sauce boils, the fat will separate from the meat and they will dry out.

When you think they are done, remove one from the pot and cut into it with a paring knife.

If it is still pink in the middle, continue to cook until done, another 10 to 15 minutes.

Just prior to serving, fill a 10-quart stockpot with 7 quarts (6.5 liters) of water and bring to a boil.

Add the 2 tablespoons of salt and spaghetti and cook until al dente.

Drain, add to the pan with the meatballs and sauce, and carefully toss to coat.

Serve immediately.

Tips: To see if you’ve added enough salt and pepper to the meatball mixture, before shaping the meatballs, bring a small pot of water to a boil.

Pinch off a grape-sized piece of meatball mixture, roll it into a ball, and drop it in the pot.

When it is cooked through, in about 2 minutes, taste it and adjust the seasoning before rolling all of your meatballs.

To roll nice round meatballs without having the meat stick to your hands, moisten your hands with cold water before you start, and then again as necessary.

Wine: This calls for a solid but not murderously expensive Chianti.

No need to buy a Riserva; just don’t buy anything in a straw-covered bottle.

If an American wine is in order, try a good Zinfandel from Ridge Vineyards.