Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Bucatini with Turkey Meatballs

Claire from Chez Cayenne is hosting this edition of Presto Pasta Night, the long-running weekly event dedicated to all things pasta started by Ruth from Once upon a Feast.

It's been a while between pasta dishes but I'm back with the rather distinctive Bucatini.


bucatini© by Haalo


Bucatini are described as thick spaghetti that have a hole through the centre - they are best served with tomato based sauces.

The dish I've made is a play on the old favourite, spaghetti and meatballs - I've decided to do something a bit different and make turkey meatballs!


bucatini with turkey meatballs© by Haalo



Bucatini with Turkey Meatballs

For the meatballs
400 grams turkey mince
freshly grated parmesan
finely chopped parsley
finely chopped sage
breadcrumbs

For the sauce
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 can (400 grams) crushed tomatoes
salt and pepper, to taste
freshly grated parmesan, to serve


Make the turkey meatballs:

Mix the minced turkey with a good handful of parmesan and parsley until well combined. To get an even size I use a small ice cream scoop to portion out the mixture. Roll each portion into a ball.

Sprinkle a dish with breadcrumbs and lightly roll the meatballs through the crumbs.


turkey meatballs© by Haalo


Place these in the fridge while you make the sauce.

Make the sauce:

Place a little olive oil and a knob of butter into a pan - put this over a medium heat and once the butter has melted and is sizzling add in the onions, carrot and celery. Reduce the heat and cook slowly until the vegetables have softened and are just starting to colour. This should take about 15 - 20 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and stir it through - cook it out for a couple of minutes before adding the crushed tomatoes. Keep the pan on a simmer and allow this to cook for 15 minutes.

Cook the meatballs:

Pour a little oil in a fry-pan and place over a medium heat. When the mixture is hot add the meatballs, a few at a time, being careful not to overfill the pan. At this stage, I am looking to just colour the meatballs - they will finish cooking in the sauce. Once the meatballs have coloured, remove them to a plate and finish cooking the remainders.

Complete the sauce:

When all the meatballs have cooked add these to the sauce - stir them through well ensuring that they are well coated with the sauce. If it seems a little dry you can add a touch of water.

Let this simmer away for another 20 minutes - this will allow the meatballs to absorb all those lovely juices and flavours of the sauce and will produce a moist and tender meatball.



bucatini with turkey meatballs© by Haalo


To serve:

Toss the cooked bucatini through the sauce and serve with a sprinkling of parmesan.

9 comments

  1. Oh yum!!!! I could eat my screen right now!

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  2. I've never cooked with bucatini before. This looks tasty!

    Thanks for sending it to Presto Pasta Nights.

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  3. that looks so yummy. I love Bucatini pasta. I have never cooked with it before, but have had it at restaurants.

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  4. oh yum they look awesome!

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  5. Thanks Dinetonite!

    Thanks Leaf!

    Thanks Claire - bucatini are a fun pasta!

    Thanks Susan!

    Thanks Ananda!

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  6. I always love visiting your blog. The photos alone have me drooling and moaning.

    As for Bucatini - it's one of my favorite winter pastas. It's the perfect base for thick rich ragus or meat balls like these. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights. Glad to see you back here.

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  7. I'm obsessed with bucatini -- so good!

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  8. Thanks Ruth - always a pleasure to join in with PPN!

    Thanks Katrina!

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