Meatball Sandwich

Ingredients

• 45 meatballs – 8 to 12 sandwiches
• 2 medium onions, peeled and minced
• olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 4 cups (1kg) canned crushed or diced tomatoes, along with their juice
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• one bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 large onion, peeled and minced
• olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (not too lean)
• 1 pound (450g) ground pork
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (25g) grated parmesan, asiago, or pecorino cheese
• 1/2 cup (15g) chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
• 2 cups (220g) dried breadcrumbs
• 3/4 cup (180ml) milk
• additional salt and black pepper, for seasoning the onions
• mozzarella or provolone cheese
• crusty italian or french bread