Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 1/2 pound lean ground turkey breast
  • 1 ounce prosciutto, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup madeira
  • 1 28-ounce can peeled tomatoes, finely chopped, with juices
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley

Method

  • Heat the olive oil in a large heavy saucepan (preferably nonstick).
  • Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrot and cook over medium heat until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the turkey and prosciutto and cook until the turkey is crumbly and nicely browned, 5 to 10 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat with the edge of a wooden spoon.
  • Add the tomato paste after 4 minutes.
  • Add the madeira when the turkey is browned and bring to a boil.
  • Stir in the chopped tomatoes with juices, vinegar, oregano, and salt and pepper and simmer the sauce until richly flavored, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the basil or parsley and cook for 1 minute.
  • Correct the seasoning, adding salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed.
  • Refrigerated, this sauce will keep for 3 to 4 days.