Bracco Farms Collard Greens & Meatball Soup
After visiting Bracco Farms in our last episode and learning all about what goes into growing our food, and why it’s SO important that you know where your food comes from - we decided to share this delicious soup recipe from the Bracco’s! Using their own collard greens, this is an easy winter meal that they love as a family and were happy to share with all of us!
As always, you can make this work to your tastes! Christa’s original recipe calls for all beef meatballs, I like to make mine with what we call “meatball mix” - ground beef, pork and veal! Either version will work! Hell, make turkey meatballs if you want! As for the greens, the Bracco’s use collards but spinach, kale, or escarole would all stand up to this beefy soup! Top the dish off with a sprinkle of parmesan and serve hot with some crusty bread and you’ve got a farm fresh meal that’ll fill you up and keep you satisfied!
Buon Appetito!
~Cara
Bracco Farm’s Meatball Soup
Serves 4-6
1 lb ground beef (or meatball mix)
1 egg
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
1 c. seasoned bread crumbs (or stuffing)
2 tsp. garlic powder
5 tbs. olive oil
1-1 1/2 lb fresh from Bracco Farms collard greens, hard middle stems removed and cut into pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
30-32 oz. beef broth
Make the meatballs by combining meat, egg, milk, part, parsley, bread crumbs, garlic powder and season with salt & pepper. Mix with hands until well combined and mixture holds its form.
Add olive oil to salute pan and heat over medium-high heat.
Roll meatball mixture into golf ball sized meatballs. Working in batches, place into hot oil and sear on all sides before setting aside onto a dish.
When all the meatballs are browned, pour the same oil into your soup pot. Heat over medium-high heat and add onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute or 2. Add chopped collard greens and meatballs to the pot and pour broth in. Cover and bring to a boil, the reduce to simmer and allow to cook for 15 minutes so all the flavors come together. Taste soup and season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls topped with some extra parmesan.
Buon Appetito!