Mititei

Ingredients

- Two pounds of ground meat; ideally: a combination of ground beef, pork, and lamb; common: a combination of beef and pork; simplest: either ground beef or ground pork
- One teaspoon each of ground cumin, anise seeds, allspice, and coriander
- Two teaspoons each of ground pepper and thyme
- One cup of beef broth
- One and a half teaspoons of baking soda
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
- A small head of fresh garlic, or half a large one
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Two medium-sized yellow squash


Preparation

•  Peel the yellow squash, discard the skin, and shred the interior.
•   Mix the baking soda with the lemon juice.
• Thoroughly grind the garlic.
• In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
• Form the mititei: for each one, take about three or four tablespoons worth of mix, press in the palm of your hand, and roll in the form of a cylinder. Do not worry if they don't yet keep the desired shape.
•  Refrigerate overnight - this allows the flavors to blend, and it makes the composition firmer, and allows them to keep their shape while cooking.
•  Remove from fridge, and roll again in your hands to reinforce a nice cylinder shape. The composition is much firmer now, and the mititei will keep the desired shape much better.
• At this point, you're ready to grill the mititei. Make sure you prepare them medium-rare, such that they stay juicy and soft.

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