Pittsburgh-Style Sausage Sandwich with Chunky Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 yellow or white onions, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 green bell peppers, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips
• 2 small red or green chiles, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, chopped, or 3 cups canned plum tomatoes, chopped, with juices
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil, for cooking
• 2 pounds Sweet Italian Sausage (page 37), formed into 1 1/4-inch balls
• 6 to 8 Italian or French bread rolls, or 2 baguettes

1. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, chiles, and oregano and saute until the onions and peppers have softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes and their juices, salt to taste, and the pepper, decrease the heat to maintain a brisk simmer, and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 45 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, brown the meatballs.
5. Add just enough oil to a large saute pan to film the bottom and place over medium-high heat.
6. Working in batches to avoid crowding, add the sausage balls and brown all around, about 10 minutes.
7. As each batch is done, transfer to a plate.
8. When the sauce is ready, add the browned sausage balls and continue cooking until the sauce is reduced and the sausages are cooked through and tender, about 20 minutes.
9. To serve, split the rolls lengthwise.
10. Or, if using baguettes, cut each baguette crosswise into thirds or quarters, and then split the sections lengthwise.
11. Place the bottom halves of the rolls, cut sides up, on individual plates.
12. Divide the sausage balls evenly among the roll bottoms and spoon plenty of sauce over the top.
13. Close the sandwiches and serve right away with lots of napkins.

extra virgin olive oil, white onions, garlic, green bell peppers, red, fresh oregano, fresh tomatoes, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, sweet italian sausage, italian

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pittsburgh-style-sausage-sandwich-with-chunky-tomato-and-bell-pepper-sauce-389463 (may not work)