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Wedding Soup with Meatballs

By: Patricia Solley, author of An Exaltation of Soups (Random House, 2004)

Zuppa Maritata is one of the most requested soups on my website, www.soupsong.com, a wedding soup from Abruzzo that features the meatballs traditional to that part of Italy. It's a pretty soup, and very substantial with all those meatballs. The torn escarole floats on the broth, enriched by the meat and molten cheese. This dish is flavorful yet subtle, something to throw a bouquet about. For nonbridal occasions, it can be a proper meal for four persons.

Ingredients

Meatballs:: 8 oz (250 g) ground veal; 8 oz (250 g) ground sirloin beef; 1 egg, slightly beaten; 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh bread crumbs; 1/4 cup (50 mL) minced fresh parsley; 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely grated Romano cheese; Pinch of nutmeg; salt and pepper to taste
Soup:: 8 cups (2 L) chicken stock; 2 cups (500 mL) washed and torn escarole, in little pieces; 1/4 cup (50 mL) freshly grated Romano cheese, or more to serve

Preparation

An hour ahead, mix the veal, beef, egg, bread crumbs, parsley, grated cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until the paste is uniform, but be careful not to overwork it.

Form the paste into small meatballs (about the size of oversized marbles) -- about 50 of them -- arrange them on a baking sheet, and cook them in a 350F oven for about 30 minutes. They should still be tender and not too brown. Drain off the fat, then transfer to paper towels to drain the fat completely.

Prep the remaining ingredients as directed in the recipe list. Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the escarole, cover, and boil for 5 minutes. Add the meatballs, reduce the heat to low, and bring back to a simmer. Let the soup simmer, covered, for a few minutes, then stir in the grated cheese.

Ladle the soup into bowls, evenly distributing the meatballs among them, and serve immediately, sprinkling with more cheese, if you like. Pass more grated cheese on the side for your guests to help themselves.

Serving(s): 6 to 8

Also in this menu:

Soup's on!

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