Columbus Day Special: Spaghetti and Meatballs

• 500 g 1 lb spaghetti

For the meatballs:

• 500 g 1 lb ground beef (or a mixture of ground beef, pork and/or veal)
• 75 g 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-2 eggs
• 1 large slice of stale Italian bread crust removed and soaked in milk, crumbled
• 1-2 cloves of garlic finely minced
• A few sprigs of parsley finely minced
• salt and pepper
• Olive oil or lard for frying

For the tomato sauce:

• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
• 1 large can of peeled tomatoes run through a food mill, or a large jar of passata di pomodoro
• salt and pepper
• A tiny pinch of oregano optional

For topping:

• freshly grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese