Spicy meatballs from Smyrna

Smyrneika soutzoukakia

Ingredients

for soutzoukakia

  • 1/2kgr minced pork
  • 1/2kgr ground beef
  • 3-4 slices bread (soaked and well squeezed)
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (smashed)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 pinch of cumin (powdered)
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

for sauce

  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 4-5 tomatoes (pureed)
  • 1 pinch of oregano (crumbled)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • olive oil

Method

  1. In a large bowl add all ingredients for soutzoukakia and knead well until smooth mixture.
  2. If the mixture is a little bit moist, add some more bread (soaked and squeezed).
  3. Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so.
  4. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and shape oblong shapes.
  5. Place the soutzoukakia in a pan with grill and bake at 200oC until golden brown.
  6. In a saucepan, place olive oil and saute the onion.
  7. Add the tomatoes and water and boil over low heat for 2′-3′.
  8. Add the cooked soutzoukakia in the pot and continue boiling over low heat for 20′-25′.
  9. Serve with mashed potatoes or white rice.