(To be Served with Dad's Spaghetti)
James M Taylor III
Elsie Taylor
18 lbs. of hamburger
2 lbs. Bob Evan's Italian sausage
1 1/2 bunches of celery, chopped
1/4 c. Worcester's sauce
1/4 -1/2 c. A-1 sauce
2 1/2 green peppers, chopped
2 large onions (6 cups) chopped
6 eggs
1 can of evaporated milk
1 T. garlic powder
4 T. dried basil, oregano, and parsley
2 "handfuls" of oats (old or quick, doesn't matter)
salt and pepper to taste * Mom does not like any pepper.
vegetable oil for frying (Mel & I don't think this is needed but Dad says yes)
In a very large container, mix the meats together. Add celery, onion and pepper. Add eggs and mix well. Throw in 2 handfuls of dry oats and mix. Add seasonings (spices and sauces). Use enough evaporated milk to make the mixture pliable or "wet" but still be able to form small balls. If you overdo it add more oats. Get 2 large iron skillets with hot vegetable oil, and brown the golf ball sized meatballs until very done. The veggies on the outside caramelize and the juices seal inside. Once the meatballs are cooked you can freeze them for later use, or put them into a huge pot of spaghetti sauce (see Dad's recipe for spaghetti sauce, too). You should cook the fried meatballs in the sauce overnight.
Note: To "taste" the mixture, fry up a small patty and adjust seasonings. I went light on the garlic, and usually add a lot more. I like garlic. Plan 6 lbs. of hamburger for 12 people. This recipe makes about 200 meatballs. you can cut it down. I'm not. When we make this it's a huge family party and everyone brings a container. This freezes great!
DAD'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE
(Requires an overnight prep)
James M Taylor III
Elsie Taylor - My Grandma
12 30 oz. cans of tomato sauce
1 30 oz. can of water cups
3 12 oz. cans of tomato paste
6 T. each parsley, basil, oregano and garlic powder
1 1/2 bunches of celery
2 large sweet onions, chopped
2 1/2 green peppers, diced
1/8-1/4 c. A-1 steak sauce
Place all the tomato sauce and paste in a huge stock pot. Take 1 30 oz. empty tomato can and fill it with water. Pour it into all the other empty cans, rinsing as you go, then pour it into the mixture. Add the vegetables to the pot and stir. Coat the top with the dried herbs and don't be afraid to really season it. It does cook down overnight! Add the A-1 steak sauce to taste. Mix and simmer overnight, stirring frequently. We add 200 meatballs to this and it makes quite a huge pot of spaghetti. If you are going to make it, then just make all of it! Freezes well.
2021 we doubled the herbs in sauce and meat and this update is reflected here.
