The "Melting Pot" of my youth

This recipe is one from my childhood, and is one from the old neighborhood.  Looking back, I guess I was blessed by living in a large city, with all the different ethnic foods available to me.  It certainly broadened my culinary appetites and skills!   But, right now, I'm glad I don't live in a big city anymore! (Way too much stress associated with that!)

Farmer Boy Italian Meatball Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground round steak
• 1/4 Cup of finely chopped onion
• 3 Tablespoons of seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 Tablespoon of Italian flat parsley
• 2 Tablespoons of grated Romano Cheese
• 1 - 2 Tablespoons of water
• pinch of salt & pepper
• 1 egg
• Pasta sauce (or, as the local Italian Americans called it, Gravy!)
• 1 yellow onion, sliced or chopped
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced into 1/2 inch strips
• Sliced Provolone cheese
• shredded Mozzarella cheese
• Hard Rolls or Hoagie Rolls

Directions: In a skillet, over medium heat, saute your Red Pepper and yellow onions; set aside.   In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onions, bread crumbs, parsley, Romano cheese, and salt & pepper; adding a little water as you go, for the right consistency.

With olive-oiled hands, form into balls, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

In a medium hot skillet, braise the meatballs all around.

Slice open the roll.  Place the roll on a sheet pan, ready to go into the broiler.

Place a slice of Provolone cheese on each open face of the rolls.  Place in a hot broiler, only long enough to melt the cheese.

Take out of the broiler.  Place your meat balls on top of the cheese, then smother them with the gravy, followed by the Red Peppers & sliced onions.   Top this with some shredded Mozzarella.  Place the sandwich back into the broiler to melt the cheese.  Serve warm.  Makes about 4 sandwiches.

Finisci di mangiare! (Eat up!)

If you like this sandwich recipe, please leave a comment here. Thanks. The Old Man in the Bib Overalls