Spanish Turkey Meatball Stew

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•  1 large onion, chopped
•  5 cloves garlic, minced
•  Kosher salt
•  1 teaspoon smoked paprika
•  1 cup sliced small carrots
• 2 (14 oz) cans low-sodium diced fire-roasted tomatoes
•  2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
•  1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
•  1 ½ pounds lean ground turkey
•  ¾ cup loosely packed fresh parsley (about 1 bunch), chopped, plus more for topping
•  Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer half of the mixture to a large bowl.

Add the paprika and carrots to the remaining onion mixture in the skillet and cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth and chickpeas; bring to a rapid simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, add the ground turkey, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper to the bowl with the reserved onion mixture and mix with your hands. Form the turkey mixture into 20 meatballs. Place the meatballs in the skillet with the sauce and simmer, turning once, until cooked through, about 7 minutes. Serve with more pepper and parsley. Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine.

Corona de Aragon
Reserva
Carinena DO, Spain

Corona de Aragon was one of the biggest kingdoms of the Mediterranean in the late Middle Ages, spanning from the east of Spain to the south of Greece, an area with a rich wine-producing history and tradition. These territories were under the jurisdiction of the King of Aragon from 1164 to 1707.  The winery and its vineyards are located in the heart of the Cariñena DO, one of Spain’s most traditional wine-producing regions. The origin of the Aragonese vineyards comes from a region where the inhabitants were known to drink wine mixed with honey as far back as the 3rd Century BC. The DO was established in 1932 and since Aragon has been a pioneer in the wine growing industry of Spain. Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon are the dominant grapes in this Reserva, which offer a modern take on the traditional Spanish wine.

“Garnacha adds a fruity freshness, while Cariñena offers great acidity and a beautiful boost of dark color.  Toasted vanilla, cocoa and a subtle nutty character open on the nose and carry through on the palate, complementing the plentiful bold fruit character until the very last sip“,  Marcelo Morales winemaker.

Winemaker: Marcelo Morales
Appellation: Carinena DO, Spain
Varietal Blend:  Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
Critical Acclaim: Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine.