Penny's Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a very large soup/stew pot and saute onions until soft, salt and pepper to taste.

Add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.

Simmer the sauce for 3 hours and if you are going to add the meatballs:.

Place all meatball ingredients, except olive oil, in a large bowl and mix gently.

Do not over mix the meatballs, they will be tough.

Form and shape either small, 2" diameter balls or larger.

Salt and pepper and set aside.

Now you can either drop the meatballs into the simmering sauce for 3 hours or you can sear them first in the remaining olive oil and then drop them into the sauce.

My Italian friends prefer the fried meatballs. ?