Minestra (Escarole and Little Meatballs Soup)

Delicious and pretty to serve. From the Sopranos cookbook.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  head escarole (about 1 pound)
• 6  quarts chicken broth
• 3  large carrots, chopped
• 8  ounces  ditalini or 8  ounces  tubetti or 8  ounces spaghetti, broken into bite size pieces

• Meatballs

• 1  lb ground beef
• 2  large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup  very finely minced onion
• 1  cup  plain breadcrumbs
• 1  cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1  teaspoon salt
•  fresh pepper

Directions

1. Trim and clean the escarole.
2. Stack the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1 inch strips.
3. You should have about 4 cups.
4. In a large pot, combine the escarole, broth and carrots.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook until the escarole is almost tender, about 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, mix together the meatball ingredients.
7. Shape the mixture into tiny balls, less than 1 inch in diameter.
8. When the escarole is cooked, stir in the pasta and return the soup to the simmer.
9. Drop the meatballs into the soup.
10. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the meatballs and pasta are cooked, about 20 minutes.
11. Taste for seasoning.
12. Serve hot with more grated Parmesan.