My mom is a Swedish treasure! My grandfather, Oscar, came to the U.S. from Sweden via Ellis Island in his early 20s. She and I don’t always agree on all topics under discussion, but we both agree on beloved recipes that we have been enjoying for decades!

Mae has a sweet-tooth like no other. So, any time I share a recipe of hers, it’s bound to have sugar in it. Her specialties are cookies! When Grandma comes to visit, there are always cookies involved.

However, here’s one family recipe that we all love that absolutely has no sugar. She usually serves this whenever we have a family get-together.

mae's spaghetti

Serve with your favorite pasta…enjoy! Even better the next day.

Meatballs 1 ¼ lbs ground beef ¼ lb ground pork 1 t salt ½ t pepper 3 eggs 1 ½ c bread crumbs (dried and fine) ¼ c Romano cheese 1 c warm milk 1 garlic clove minced Roll into small balls and refrigerate. Sauce Combine 2 ½ c water, 2 ½ c canned whole tomatoes, 1 T olive oil, 1 garlic clove minced, ½ t salt, ½ t pepper Simmer 1 hour Add 4-6 oz. cans tomato paste, 2-6 oz. cans water, 3 garlic cloves minced, 5 hot peppers (in oil) Simmer ½ hour Add  meatballs, ¼ c Romano cheese and ½ t salt Simmer 2 hours or until meatballs are throughly cooked