Giant Meatballs on Ciabatta

How we make it.

Sauce:

2 tablespoons butter
2 shallots, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon whole fennel seed
1 - 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup water

Giant Meatballs:

2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound ground turkey
1 pound Italian pork sausage
1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large braiser over medium heat, melt butter and add shallot cooking for 2 minutes to soften. Add garlic, oregano and fennel seeds, cooking for 30 seconds more. Add crushed tomatoes, salt and water and simmer on medium low for 15 minutes. You’ll simmer for 10-15 more once you put the meatballs in. 

In a medium bowl combine bread crumbs, milk and eggs, stirring together. Add turkey, sausage, salt and Parmigiano and mix with hands to combine. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Roll six giant meatballs and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, change the oven to broil and broil to crisp the top of the meatballs for a few minutes, watching them closely as they can burn fast. Once nicely browned, remove from oven and add to the sauce, cooking for 10-15 more minutes. 

Sandwich:

1 loaf Ciabatta bread, sliced lengthwise
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
1 cup arugula
1/4 cup hot banana pepper rings

Preheat oven to 400. Slice the Ciabatta lengthwise and layer one side with thinly sliced fresh mozzarella. Place in the oven for about 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is lightly toasted. Remove the bread from the oven and layer the bare side with arugula and banana peppers. Cover with giant meatballs (you can use 4 or the whole 6) and sauce and smoosh down with the melted cheesy top bread. Cut into individual sandwiches and enjoy!

Why we make it.

Sometimes when life gets boring creating the absurd is all I've got to keep myself entertained. This weekend two of the most boring things I know will converge: another winter Sunday and an NFL game. As usual, I hold an unpopular opinion on this, so as usual I'll be entertaining myself through a cultural event I don't care for. For me that always starts in the kitchen. This gigantic meatball sandwich covered in stretchy discs of melted mozzarella will keep things interesting. Giant meatballs! Nestled between crisp lengths of airy Ciabatta, settled on a bed of peppery arugula bejeweled with the spicy pop of banana peppers, this jumbo sandwich is deliciously absurd. I think it's hilarious, and I'd also love to watch you try and eat it. That's why I made it.