Turkey Meatball Grinders

== Ingredients ==
=== Tomato sauce ===
* 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 each red and green bell pepper, cored seeded, halved and slivered
* 2 clove garlic, peeled and slightly bruised
* 2 can (28 oz each) Italian plum tomatoes, drained and chopped, juice reserved
* 2 tbsp tomato paste
* 2 tsp dried oregano
* pinch sugar
* salt and black pepper to taste
* ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
=== Turkey meatballs ===
* 2 lbs ground turkey
* 1 med onion, grated
* 1 tbsp minced garlic
* 1 tsp dried basil
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1 tsp fennel seeds
* salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
* 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten or use 1 egg white or 2 tbsp of egg substitute
* 2 tbsp olive oil, for frying Rather than frying the meatballs, bake them at 350°F for 35 to 45 minutes on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with a nonstick vegetable spray. Cut to test for doneness. This will further reduce the fat content.
* 3 Italian breads, about 15-in long and 3-in wide (Trish) cut each of the breads in 3 pieces, with centers hollowed out; or use 8 french rolls, each about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide.
== Directions ==
=== Tomato sauce ===
# Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low heat.
# Add onion, bell peppers and garlic; cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
# Add tomatoes along with 1 cup of reserved juices, tomato paste, oregano, sugar, salt and black pepper.
# Cook for 25 minutes.
# Mash the garlic in the pot and adjust the seasonings.
# Stir in the parsley and set the sauce aside.
=== Turkey meatballs ===
# Mix all the ingredients, except oil, together in a bowl.
# Form the mixture into 24 meatballs, each about 1 ½ inches in diameter.
# (See note 1 below) heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat and cook the meatballs in batches, shaking the pan occasionally, for about 10 to 12 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
# Add more oil if necessary.
# Remove the meatballs to paper towels to drain.
# Place the tomato sauce over medium heat to warm through.
# Add the meatballs and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
# To serve, spoon about ¼ cup of the sauce into each piece of bread or roll, coating the interior well.
# Insert 3 meatballs into each and serve immediately.
== Notes ==
== Nutritional information ==
Per serving (3 meatballs, without egg) : calories - 668, fat - 18 gms. (about 24% of calories from fat), cholesterol - 90 mg. No diabetic exchanges were listed.
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Category:Basil Recipes
Category:Egg substitute Recipes
Category:Egg yolk Recipes
Category:Fennel seed Recipes
Category:Green bell pepper Recipes
Category:Ground turkey Recipes
Category:Italian bread Recipes
Category:Low-calorie Recipes
Category:Meatball Recipes
Category:Oregano Recipes