Polpette do Tacchino (Turkey Meatballs)

I’ve always made my meatballs with ground beef, but was inspired to try these after seeing a recipe from Mario Batali. And am I glad I did - what a hit! Everyone in our house loved them, including (especially) all of the teenagers who happened to be hanging around when they were ready. That’s okay - this recipe makes enough to feed a small crowd. Serve these with pasta or just as is, with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the sauce. Wine Suggestions: Elkhorn Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dux Vineyard Pinot Noir

Servings: 6

Ingredients

8 to 10 thick slices day old bread cut into half-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
2 pounds ground turkey a mix of white and dark meat is preferable
4 ounces Prosciutto cut into 1/8-inch dice
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage casings removed and sausage crumbled
3 large eggs lightly beaten
½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
¾ cup finely chopped Italian parsley
Several gratings of fresh nutmeg
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and Freshly ground pepper to taste
28 0 unce can chunky tomato sauce
½ cup dry white wine

Instructions

Soak the bread in water to cover for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the extra water.
In a large bowl, combine the three meats, bread, eggs, ¼ cup of the Pecorino, all the Parmesan, ½ cup of the parsley, the nutmeg, and ¼ cup of the olive oil. Season the mixture well with salt and pepper; then mix together gently with your hands. Form the mixture into 3-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or as long as overnight, to allow the flavors to blend.
In a 12-inch heavy bottomed skillet, heat the remaining ¼ cup olive oil over high heat until almost smoking. Add the meatballs in batches and brown on all sides. Transfer the meatballs as they’re done to a baking sheet. When they’re all browned drain off the oil.
Add the wine to the pan and deglaze, scraping up all of the browned bits from the meatballs stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the tomato sauce. Bring to a vigorous simmer and place the meatballs in the sauce. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes, covered.
Transfer to a platter and serve with the remaining Pecorino and parsley sprinkled over the top.

Polpette do Tacchino (Turkey Meatballs)