Sardines meatballs in tomato sauce, what a dish!

Do you know how to cook fish meatballs? It is a delicious specialty all Sicilian called "Polpette di Sarde". This recipe is something I love to eat during winter and fortunately my father, who is very good at, prepared it few days ago. Basically they are meatballs but done with fresh sardines, which means a lot heavier and a lot healthier.

Here comes the recipe: 

You will need 500 gr. sardines - 100 gr.grated pecorino cheese - 100 gr sultanas - 50 gr pine nuts - breadcrumb - parsley or fresh mint - oil of olive - salt - pepper - tomato sauce

First, you need to wash the fish and getting rid of head, bones and tail. Then, cut it and put it in a bowl together with the pecorino cheese, the sultanas, the pine nuts and the parsley (or mint) finely chopped. 
Add also salt, pepper and the breadcrumb (about 4-5 spoons) until the mix is quite solid.

Now in a pan, put half bottle of tomato sauce, add salt and sugar and a pinch of cinnamon as well. Let heat the sauce, when it's hot you can do your little balls and place them inside the sauce being careful not to break them in pieces.

Put the heat at the minimum, the lid on the pan and let them cook for about 20-25 minutes. Finally add a couple of spoons of extra virgin olive oil. Serve hot with some slices of rustic bread. You will have a delicious, healthy Sicilian dinner. Enjoy!