1tablespoonextra virgin olive oil plus additional for sautéing meatballs
1poundboneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat, ground
2links Italian sausage, casings removed
2tablespoonsparmesan garlic marinade
½cupday old Italian bread crumbs
¼cupfinely grated Parmesan cheese plus ½ cup coarsely grated
1egg
¼teaspoonfreshly ground pepper
8fresh basil leaves, chopped plus additional for garnish
2tablespoonschopped fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, plus additional for garnish
12½-inch pieces fontina cheese
Italian seeded or plain rolls, sliced through top and opened like a boat
Instructions
Pour tomatoes and juice into a medium saucepan. With hand, crush each tomato.
Add shallot, butter, salt, sugar and cheese rind; bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer; cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare meatballs. Brown mushrooms in olive oil until they have released their liquid; cool slightly. Gently, but thoroughly, combine mushrooms, chicken, sausage, marinade, breadcrumbs, ¼ cup finely grated parmesan, egg, pepper, basil and parsley.
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out 12 leveled portions of meat mixture.
Dampen hands with water and form each portion into a meatball pressing one piece of fontina into the center wrapping the meat around the cheese.
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.
Sear meatballs to a golden brown, turning as needed. Add browned meatballs to sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes or until fully cooked.
Heat oven 350F. Crisp rolls on sheet pan in oven for 6 to 8 minutes.
Prepare parmesan cheese frico. Pour a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan onto a silicone or parchment lined baking sheet and lightly pat down. Repeat with the remaining cheese, spacing the spoonfuls about a ½-inch apart. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool.
To assemble sandwiches: fill rolls with meatballs. Sprinkle with herbs and crumbled parmesan frico.