Meat Patties Maddalena

We use this recipe for meat patties as a side dish, or as meatballs in spaghetti, or to fill meatball sandwiches. According to the notes in our cookbook, the kids described this recipe variously as "totally outrageous, rad, cool, and awesome." I think that translates to "delicious."

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Ingredients

• 1 pound chopped beef
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausages, with casing removed
• 1 large clove of garlic, minced (optional)
• 4 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 6 slices white bread, soaked in milk and pressed dry
• 2 small eggs, beaten
• 1 cup olive oil
• bread crumbs (or use 10 ounces of crushed garlic croutons)

Directions

• Mix beef, sausages, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper, soaked bread and eggs into a smooth paste.
• Shape into patties about 1-1/2 inches wide.
• Roll in bread crumbs and fry a few at a time in hot oil, over medium-high flame, until brown on both sides (about 5-7 minutes).

Serves 6.