Recipe(tried): Mama Pacetti's Spaghetti with Meatballs and Sausage

Hi Everyone!!

Just snuck in here to post tonight's dinner....my Mom and I have been sitting by the pool reading and cutting coupons. Then we came in about an hour ago to start the sauce and the meatballs because my DH was in the mood for Spaghetti and Meatballs. Mom and I will enjoy the meatballs alongside a salad. We had to brown one of the meatballs because I added a new ingredient to them and we wanted to make sure it was going to be good. Not only is it scrumptious, it is a keeper....here's why....

My mother just got back from visiting with my sister in New Jersey and not only did she come back with these huge garlic heads that they bought at a Philadelphia Market but she brought me back a jar of a red condiment called Marco Polo Mild Ajvar Vegetable Spread. The ingredients are:
red peppers
eggplant
garlic
spices and salt.
It looks like a red puree of sweet red bell peppers and smells heavenly. It's got some punch to it becaue of the garlic in it.

This is made in Bulgaria and she found it at an Italian Market called Corrado's in Clifton, NJ. It is to die for. My sister is sending me 4 more jars thru the mail, that's how delicious it is.

I have added it to sauteed zucchini and squash, yum!!! And, now I added 2 tablespoons to the raw meat for the meatballs, oh, it is absolutely delicious!!!! It gives the right kick to the meat and whatever you use it on. I imagine it would be a killer on fish...

Anyway, let me post the recipe and the addition to the meatballs. Then I can go jump in the pool before dinner is done.

Have a Happy Sunday!!! Gina

Mama Pacetti's Spaghetti with Meatballs and Sausage

Meatballs:
2 lb. ground sirloin
1 small onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fine dry bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. oregano
2 Tbsp. Mild Ajvar sauce
1/4 cup minced sweet red pimientoes
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Mix ground sirloin, minced onion, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, garlic salt, pepper, Italian Seasonings, oregano, Mild Avjar and red pimientoes. You can add a little water if too dry. Shape into meatballs and brown in olive oil before adding to sauce.

For Meat Sauce:

Brown the sirloin, drain and set aside. Continue making the sauce as directed below and instead of adding meatballs, add the browned meat and stir to blend well.

Sauce:
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 red bell peppers, washed, cored and chopped
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1-2 pork chops or pork rib
1 lb. mild Italian Sausage cut into 2-inch pieces
2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes with puree
1 Tbsp. fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. crumbled thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. crushed dried red pepper
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. marjoram
1/4 tsp. rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
12 oz. cooked spaghetti
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Brown the sausage and set aside. Saute onions, pork chops and garlic in large pot. Add tomatoes, paste and sauce and bring to a boil. Add next 13 ingredients, the browned meatballs, the browned sausage and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stir occasionally.