Tangy Meatballs For a Crowd

2 C cubed rye bread
2 C milk
3 eggs
1 envelope onion soup mix
2 t salt
1-1/2 t dried thyme
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t ground nutmeg
5 # ground beef
2 # bulk pork sausage
1 bottle (40 oz) ketchup
2 C crab apple or apple jelly, melted
4 t browning sauce, optional

Combine bread cubes and milk; let stand for 5 minutes.

Add the next six ingredients; mix well.

Crumble meat into bread mixture; stir just until blended. Form into 1-1/2 inch balls. Place in four ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 baking pans.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45 minutes; drain.

Combine ketchup, jelly and browning sauce; spoon over meatballs.

Reduce heat to 300, cover and bake for 1 hour.

Yield 7 to 7-1/2 dozen