Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Rosmarin in Culo: Meatballs in Sun-Dried Tomato Ketchup


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Beth Dunham

Description

Inspired by the famous Tuscan butcher, Dario Cecchini, these meatballs are freshly ground and served medium-rare, skewered with rosemary.


Ingredients

Scale

Sun-dried tomato ketchup

  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomato halves
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 garlic clove (finely minced)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of chili flakes

Meatballs

  • I kilogram of meat (The ratios for these juicy, flavourful meatballs was 10% guanciale, 20% sirloin, 70% chuck. I cut the meat into cubes no bigger than an inch before grinding)
  • 1 garlic clove (finely minced)
  • 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Sun-dried tomato ketchup

  1. Soak sundried tomatoes in boiling water for 30 minutes, until soft. Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, add onion and sauté 3-4 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and tomato paste, and cook for another minute or two. In a blender, or food processor combine sundried tomatoes and their soaking liquid with all of the other ingredients and purée the mixture until smooth.
  2. Transfer the purée to a small saucepan, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a small jar, and let cool completely before refrigerating.
  3. Leftover ketchup will keep for up to a week in the fridge.

Meat

  1. See instruction link above recipe for grinding.
  2. The most important thing to remember when grinding your own meat is to have everything very cold. I chilled the processor bowl and blade as well the meat in the freezer for about 30 minutes before I started grinding.
  3. Once ground, roll the ground meat mixture into balls about the size of a walnut.
  4. Cook in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, shaking the pan to keep the balls rolling and evenly brown on all sides. It should take 7-9 minutes for about a medium depending on the size of your balls. Skewer each ball on a sprig of fresh rosemary and serve with homemade sundried tomato ketchup.
  • Category: Main, Secondi, Side
  • Cuisine: Italian