Tomatoes are already pretty acidic, and usually you’re trying to mellow that out a little bit. You hear splash of balsamic sometimes, but that’s more for some complexity than the acid.
The sugar wouldn’t be bad, in moderation, but I’m thinking pineapple has a bit too much. If you added a bunch of pineapple for any reason, you’d have to bring it back into balance with other things. You’re really departing from spaghetti and meatballs now, heading in an almost SE asian direction.
By the time it tastes good, it won’t be very italian anymore. Probably one of the legit worst cooking ideas I’ve heard in awhile, I’m having a hard time thinking of a more ruinous ingredient to add to an Italian-American red meat sauce.
You know, when you put it on pizza, there’s usually ham and jalapenos too. Those are balancing elements, both very strongly flavored.
death penalty.
No.
just NO
I don’t mind pineapple in dishes (and love it on pizza). They are commonly found in Cantonese and Yunnanese dishes as well for example, like Gulaorou (sweet & sour pork chops with chillies & pineapple). The acidity goes well with the sweetness of the BBQ-like sauce.
So I can see them harmonizing with meatballs in general. What I do take offense with are the spaghetti, I just don’t think pasta in general is a good match for pineapple.
Oh, I actually have some udon noodles! I can use those with the meatballs and pineapple instead.
You’re a monster, Jeff.
No. Unless your meatballs are made of ground bacon instead of beef. Pineapple goes well with bacon, and fish, because the sweetness balances the saltiness of the meat. But beef isnt salty like that.
My wife is Vietnamese and there’s a hot and sour soup that contains both chunks of pineapple and tomato along with pieces of meat/seafood. Your dish isn’t all that crazy 😎!
Does that dish have a name? Never seen pineapple in a soup, would love to give it a shot.
It’s called Vietnamese sweet/hot and sour soup or Canh Chua.
Canh Chua
Looks awesome! Found a bunch of recipes, will give it a shot!
Tried it, didn’t quite work as expected.
I’d suggest mixing small chunks into the meatballs themselves rather than just adding to the sauce.
One of the reasons pineapple works on pizza (for those that like it) is the high heat of the oven toasting the pineapple. You won’t get that same effect by adding it to a sauce. Adding it to your homemade meatballs means it can get seared in the frying pan when you precook them.
Or you could sear some pineapple slices before adding to the sauce.
As an avid pineapple-on-pizza person, this is just untenable. Like sure, it’d be a similar flavor, but pizza is a vehicle for diverse, complimentary tastes. Spaghetti is spaghetti.
