Carmela Soprano's Hot Meatball & Mozzarella Heroes

In the Small Events for Men Only chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos, I found Hot Meatball and Mozzarella Heroes. 

No, Carm isn't being snarky about Tony and his crew.

This is a recipe for a hot sandwich.

Nice if you have some spare time.

Also if the weather is not too hot.

If it is - or you have a steak - then check out Ma's recipe for Beef Rollettes.

Back to the meatballs...

Just like in the recipe for stuffed hot cherry peppers, Carmela uses breadcrumbs "homemade from Italian bread".

She also uses freshly grated Pecorino Romano.

And, of course, finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.

For the love of....

It's hot.

People get nasty when it's hot.

Don't add to the agita.

Do what you gotta do.

About the crusty rolls...

You can also use Italian bread, cut into wedges, and then split.

It doesn't hold the filling as well, but will do.

The meatball recipe will work just as well if you're serving pasta.

Of course that calls for a big pot of boiling water.

This month, stick to sandwiches. 

Bought a large package of ground meat?
Here are some more meatball recipes:

Anna Sultana's Tomato Sauce and Homemade Meatballs, Maltese Style

Carmela Soprano's Sunday Gravy (Tomato Sauce with Meat) and Homemade Meatballs

Carmela Soprano's Grilled Meatball and Sausage Skewers

Carmela Soprano's Escarole and Little Meatballs Soup - Minestra l Tiny Meatballs Recipe

Carmela Soprano's Little Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

                             

                              Hot Meatball and Mozzarella Heroes 

Mix together thoroughly in a large bowl

1 pound ground beef (or a combination of beef and pork)

1/2 Cup plain dried bread crumbs

2 large eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon very finely minced garlic

1/2 Cup grated Romano cheese

2 Tablespoons chopped parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (more or less)

Rinse your hands with cool water.

Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.

Heat in a large heavy saucepan 

2 Tablespoons olive oil

Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides.

They'll finish cooking in the sauce.

Remove the meatballs.

Pour into the same saucepan 

2 1/2 Cups Tomato Sauce

Bring to a simmer over low heat.

Add the meatballs and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat the broiler.

Open and pull out some of the soft bread of

6 crusty hero rolls

Add the meatballs and sauce.

Top the meatballs with a slice or two from

8 ounces mozzarella, sliced

Place the open sandwiches on a baking sheet.

Broil them for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

Close the sandwiches and serve immediately.

Would I make Hot Meatball and Mozzarella Heroes again?

Sure.

Only I'd double the recipe and freeze half of the cooked meatballs.

Handy for another meal - with pasta or rolls.

Or I'd use meatballs leftover from a spaghetti dinner.

Another recipe down.  Nine more to go.