Old West Christmas Fest draws people from all over

OVANDO - Good family, rural community fun drew people from as far away as Florida to the 18th annual Old West Christmas Fest. The town of Ovando came a live with sweets and treats, wagon rides, gingerbread house creations, coloring contests and the constant echo of a mule's Hee, Haw. Despite the constant snow and temperatures that dropped nearly 20 degrees throughout the day, many hardy souls came out for the fun and of course to visit Cowboy Claus.

Bite of Ovando Meatball Cook off Winning Recipe entered by Terry Sheppard of Ovando

Pineapple Sweet and Sour Meatballs

“The Montana Cookbook” ©1976 by Steven D & H Duane Harvey

½ pound ground pork sausage

½ pound ground game meat

Salt and pepper

1 cup beef bouillon

1 green pepper, thinly sliced

1 onion

1 large can pineapple chunks

½ cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 egg

Combine meat, egg and ½ onion, finely chopped, to make small meatballs (may add bread crumbs as needed). Brown meatballs and add bouillon. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. **NOTE: Sheppard shared a tip from an Italian woman the used to live in Ovando. Mix the meat as usual, make the balls large or small and then place them on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven. Sheppard said this saves a lot of preparation time versus cooking in a skillet and having to constantly stir the meatballs.

Add pineapple, drained sugar and soy sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Thicken with cornstarch and add ½ cup pineapple liquid: simmer a few minutes. Add finely sliced green pepper and remaining onion. Cook 10 minutes. Serve over rice.

 

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