Polpette

(Italian Meatballs)

 

1 lb. ground beef (or meat of your choice )	2 cloves garlic
1 large onion	basil, thyme
1 stalk celery	orange zest, if desired
2 large potatoes	2 eggs (room temp.)
bread crumbs	salt, pepper

In large pan, sauté finely chopped onion and celery until tender. Add garlic, basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Add meat and cook until brown. Boil potatoes and mash. Let all ingredients cool. In a large bowl, combine meat mixture with eggs, bread crumbs, mix well. Add bread crumbs until mixture has a coarse consistency, where it can be shaped into balls about 2" in diameter. In large pan put ¹/2 cup frying oil, heat to medium heat, add meatballs and flatten to about ¹/2 or ³/4". Cook until golden brown (don't let burn) on both sides. Remove to platter and serve hot or cold with a good leaf salad dressed with garlic flavored vinaigrette.