NONNA'S SPAGHETTI GRAVY

Even in a 100% Italian family, there are differences of opinion about food. In my case, one set of grandparents came from the Piedmont region of Italy (north) and the other set of grandparents came from the south of Italy. The southern grandparents barely considered the northern grandparents Italian! Anyway, they were all good people and left me with lots of recipes and even better memories. This gravy recipe is from the southern part of Italy.

NONNA'S SPAGHETTI GRAVY

1 big onion, chopped fine

2 ribs celery (no leaves), chopped fine

Fry these ingredients in a little olive oil in a heavy pot until just beginning to brown.

Add:

3 pieces garlic, chopped very fine

1 pound hamburger meat

Several chicken gizzards

Fry for 15 to 20 minutes, breaking up the hamburger meat and stirring with the gizzards.

Add:

1 can tomato paste

1 can tomato sauce

Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Add:

1 quart of water or beef broth or a combination.

1 teaspoon sugar

Cook on low for about two hours until gravy is thick. Remove gizzards and chop fine, return to pot. Serve over spaghetti. Even if you don't like chicken gizzards, you will probably like this recipe. The flavors blend and the taste is delicious.