ZUCCHINI 'MEATBALLS'

Fresh vegetables from your own garden, could there be anything sweeter?  Zucchini is growing exceptionally well in my garden this year - very happy about this as I have not been able to grow zucchini until the last few years but have a neighbor who grows them very well and likes to share. (and I am very thankkful)  Zucchini can be used in sweet and savoury dishes, today I made 'Zucchini Meatballs', served with a homemade tomato sauce and some Laphsa (traditional egg noodles ) that I made many months ago.

Zucchini  'meatballs'

The ingredients you will need.

The zucchini has been diced finely and sauteed for 10 minutes in oil.

The zucchini balls shaped and ready for baking.

Here they are fresh out of the oven and ready for a sauce,

dip - great for dinner or as an appetizer for special occasions.

Zucchini (meatballs) Recipe

These vegetarian ''meatballs'' are inspired by a wonderful recipe from Italian food writer Ursula Ferrigno.

 You can easily double the quantities.

Freezer-friendly: freeze the uncooked 'meatballs'. Defrost before baking.

For grown-ups and older children: try adding a few toasted nuts to the mix.

Ingredients

2 tbsp canola or olive oil

2 cups zucchini, finely diced

1/8 cup chives, chopped

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 generous tbsp grated Parmesan, pecorino or other well-flavoured hard cheese

1 container bocconcini, chopped

1/4 cup +- breadcrumbs

1 tbsp chopped parsley

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

freshly ground black pepper and sea salt (optional)

zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)

Method

Preheat the oven to 375-400. Oil a baking tray or line with a non-stick silicone liner.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat and fry the zucchini for about 10 minutes, until tender and golden. Set aside to cool a little, then combine them with all the other ingredients to make a thick, sticky mixture. Season if you like (remember that the cheeses already contain salt).

Take walnut-sized blobs of the mixture and roll into balls. Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, until golden.

Serve hot, warm or cold, on their own or with pita bread and a tomato salad or sauce.

Makes about 12.

We can create peace in the small and large
moments, by each us living it in our words
and actions~ ♥
...
~shirl wisse ~