Authentic Traditional Greek Recipe: Spicy Meatballs with Tomato Sauce from Asia Minor (Soutzoukakia or Izmir Kofte)

© 2012 by Theocharis Vagelis

Soutzoukakia from Smyrna or İzmir köfte is a dish that is met in Greece and Turkey. This spicy dish was brought to Greece by refugees from Asia Minor. It is a dish of oblong meatballs with cumin, cinnamon and garlic. It is served in thick tomato sauce and rice or mashed potatoes.

Meatballs

• ½ kg minced meat (preferably veal)
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 2 smashed garlic cloves
• 1 egg
• 3 slices of stale bread
• 3 tbsp virgin olive oil
• ½ tbsp cumin
• ½ tbsp cinnamon
• Salt
• Red pepper, pinch
• Mild Paprika, pinch

Tomato Sauce

• 500 gr condensed tomato sauce
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 smashed garlic clove
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, black pepper
• Water

1. Prepare the meatballs. Mix very thoroughly all the ingredients in a big bowl.
2. Let the mix rest in the fridge for 2 hours at least.
3. Shape the meatballs (finger length), put them in an oiled pan and grill them at 200ο C for about 15-20’ both sides
4. While the meatballs are grilled, prepare the tomato sauce. Add the olive oil in a big pan and sauté the onion and garlic.
5. Add the tomato, salt, pepper and some water and let it boil for 5 - 7 minutes.
6. Add the grilled meatballs in the same pan with the boiling tomato sauce, stir carefully and let the boil for another 10 minutes on low heat until the sauce thickens. Do not stir again.
7. Serve hot with mashed potatoes or rice. Do not forget to pour the tomato sauce all over!
8. Enjoy!