Pork Meatball Melt Sandwiches with Broiled Mozzarella

Instructions

1. 1

   Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 400 degrees

2. 2

   Line baking sheet with foil and drizzle with olive oil

3. 3

   Halve and peel onion, finely chop one half and save other for another use

4. 4

   Mince garlic

5. 5

   Mix pork, panko, chopped onion, half the garlic, half the Tuscan heat spice, salt and pepper in medium bowl

6. 6

   Divide mixture into 16 pieces and shape into meatballs

7. 7

   Place meatballs on prepared baking sheet and bake until cooked through

8. 8

   Heat olive oil in small pan over medium heat

9. 9

   Add remaining onion and cook until starting to soften

10. 10

    Add remaining garlic and Tuscan heat spice and cook until fragrant

11. 11

    Stir in tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper

12. 12

    Bring to simmer and let bubble until thickened

13. 13

    Zest lemon and squeeze juice into small bowl

14. 14

    Halve zucchini lengthwise then slice crosswise into quarter-inch half-moons

15. 15

    Stir butter into tomato sauce once thickened and remove from heat

16. 16

    Heat olive oil in medium pan over medium-high heat

17. 17

    Add zucchini, salt and pepper and cook until softened

18. 18

    Toss zucchini with lemon juice and zest, set aside

19. 19

    Remove meatballs from oven and heat broiler to high

20. 20

    Cut meatballs in half

21. 21

    Split ciabatta buns and drizzle cut sides with olive oil

22. 22

    Arrange bottom halves cut side up on baking sheet

23. 23

    Spread sauce on each ciabatta bottom

24. 24

    Arrange halved meatballs on top

25. 25

    Spoon over remaining sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella

26. 26

    Top with remaining ciabatta halves

27. 27

    Broil until mozzarella melts

28. 28

    Divide between plates and serve with zucchini