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Mexican Meatball Sausage

Mexican meatballs are typically made with a mix of pork and beef (or veal) and include bread crumbs or rice to plump them and egg to bind the ingredients. From there, seasoning variations abound: garlic and/or onion, or not; herbs and/or spices (usually cumin and oregano, sometimes mint); elements such as raisins and/or olives (a Peruvian variation); and so on. Zucchini, the “special ingredient” I use here, was suggested by Mexican cooking maven Diana Kennedy. It lightens and freshens the sausage in a way I find pleasing, so I use it for my basic recipe.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 pound

Ingredients

1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs (page 4)
3 cups grated zucchini, grated on the medium-size holes of a box grater
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place all the ingredients in a medium bowl, and knead with your hands until thoroughly blended. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to firm the sausage and blend the flavors.

    Step 2

    Form into balls and cook as directed in individual recipes. (The uncooked sausage will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 week.)

Sausage
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