
Season veal shanks with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear veal shanks on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Add onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer.
Return the veal shanks to the pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover and simmer gently over low heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the veal is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
While the osso buco is simmering, prepare the gremolata: In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, chopped parsley, and minced garlic.
Once the osso buco is cooked, remove bay leaf. Serve the veal shanks with the braising sauce and sprinkle generously with gremolata. Serve with creamy polenta or risotto.
Absolutely fantastic! The veal shanks were incredibly tender, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The gremolata was the perfect finishing touch. Just like Nonna used to make!
Magnifico! This osso buco was restaurant-quality. The simplicity of the recipe belies the depth of flavor. The gremolata really does elevate the dish. Excellent choice for a special occasion.