Agrodolce Tomato Basil Turkey Meatballs

Agrodolce Tomato Basil Turkey Meatballs make a great dish any time of the year.  This isn’t your old sweet and sour sauce, but one infused with basil and of course tomatoes.  There is just something about the tomato flavour that draws me to a dish.  I know, it’s the Italian in me.  LOL  In Italian we call it Agrodolce and we simply add vinegar and sugar to make the sauce. 

I decided to add it to my turkey meatballs because this type of meat needs a pick-me-up.  We really enjoy this dish.  Try it at your table and drop me a line on how your family likes it. 

Working with vinegar reminds me of my nonno Salvatore.  September was wine making time at our house, and we all loved walking into the house after school and checking out the basement.  The wine press was going and the house smelled of crushed grapes.  As much as nonno like wine, he prided himself on his vinegar making skills.  His red wine vinegar was the best.

If you like this, don’t forget to check out my Drunken Turkey Meatballs : https://recipesatmytable.com/drunken-turkey-meatballs/

I chop up the onions and put them into a pan with some olive oil for a few minutes.

Leave the tomatoes chunky.  These tomatoes are sweet.

Into the pan they go and I let them hang out there for about 5 minutes.

The sugar, tomato paste and red wine vinegar go in next.  I like the tube tomato paste because it goes a long way.

Everything in the pan and it come together easily.  This sauce is great on pork or chicken too. The dry basil and spices go in next, and I add the fresh basil just before serving.

Turkey meatballs are easy to assemble.  This recipe makes about 18.

Add a little white win and you get flavour and moisture.  Make sure it is good white wine.

You can serve the sauce on the side, but when you immerse the meatballs into this sauce the magic happens.

This dish is good for family or entertaining.  I served it with a carrot/potato mash, but you could serve it with polenta or rice.

 

The Agrodolce

• 2 medium tomatoes ( chop into chunks)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion ( finely chop)
• 2 tbsp each of red wine vinegar, sugar and tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried Italian spices
• 1/2 tsp red pepper chilli flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
• Sauté the onion in the olive oil for a few minutes
• Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes
• Add the remainder of the ingredients except the fresh chopped basil
• Cook for a few minutes and set aside.

Turkey Meat balls

• 500 gr. ground turkey
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup cold water
• salt and pepper (1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper)
• 3/4 cups fresh bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• freshly chopped parsley
• Mix everything together and roll into 1 inch balls
• Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment
• This makes 18 meatballs.
• Place in a 375 F oven for 15 minutes