MARIO’S TURKEY MEATBALL HEROES (for six)
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“These tender puppies make a great main course served just warm with a simple salad on a cool spring evening. They also do well in a great sub roll with some melted provolone over the top and a pile of hot chilies over that. The combo of turkey and sausage makes for a particularly piquant and satisfying flavor and texture in these odes to la mamma.” Mario Batali, Molto Italiano
6 small (8 inch) hero rolls
olive oil
6 meatballs (polpette de tachino) and some of their tomato sauce, heated
12 slices provolone
sliced jarred hot Italian cherry peppers to taste
- Preheat the broiler. Split the rolls lengthwise, open them up and brush them lightly with olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and broil until lightly colored. Remove the roll tops and set them aside.
- Cut the meatballs in half, spread a layer of tomato sauce on each roll bottom and place 2 meatball halfs on top of the tomato sauce, cut side up. Drape 2 provolone slices over the meatballs, overlapping slightly. Return to broiler and broil until provolone is melted and beginning to brown.
- Top the provolone with another layer of tomato sauce and then with a layer of hot peppers. Replace the roll tops, pressing down lightly to help the sandwich adhere. Slice through the center at a diagonal, and serve immediately.
adapted from Mario Batali, Molto Italiano