- 4 veal shank pieces, about 12 ounces each
- Salt as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper as needed
- Flour as needed for dredging veal shanks
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup diced carrot
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 anchovy fillets, chopped
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Season the veal shanks generously with salt and pepper. Dredge the shanks in flour and shake away any excess.
- Heat the oil in an ovenproof casserole or Dutch oven over high heat until it shimmers. Sear the veal shanks in the oil, turning as necessary, until they have a good color on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove them to a platter and cover loosely with foil.
- Add the onion, carrot, and 2 teaspoons minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is a deep golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and sauté, stirring frequently, until the tomato paste turns a rust color, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and stir well to dissolve the tomato paste.
- Return the veal shanks to the casserole along with any juices they may have released and add enough broth to cover the shanks by about 1/2. Bring the broth to a simmer, cover the casserole, and place it in the oven. Braise the shanks, turning them as necessary to keep them evenly moistened, until they are very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer the shanks to a serving platter and keep warm while finishing the sauce.
- Strain the sauce, return it to the casserole, and bring it to a boil over high heat, skimming the surface as necessary. Reduce the heat to low simmer until the sauce has a lightly thickened consistency, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Combine the remaining garlic, the lemon zest, parsley, and anchovy fillets to form the gremolata. Serve the shanks on heated plates garnished with the gremolata.