This is one of my FAVORITE foods to prep because it’s quick, easy, tasty, and easily adaptable by ingredients AND serving choices. Plus I love meatballs. I mean, who doesn’t? This is a great source of protein and all the add-ins make your recipe a fresh take on the goods from the market that week.
The SWEET part comes from a fruit – I like cherries or blueberries. They are small, flavorful, juicy, and packed with healthy benefits. In the fall I’ll use cranberries for the same reason. Now you might think,
“Fruit? In my MEATBALLS?!”
Yes, fruit. In your meatballs. I mean, come one. These are turkey meatballs. You eat turkey and cranberries on Thanksgiving, don’t you? And we all know how great that sweet combo is? Don’t be afraid to take your fit off Grandma’s good china and make it an everyday thing! And use blueberries instead of cranberries, maybe.
The SPICY comes from hot peppers (and you can up/down the heat) or Microgreens? . I add bell peppers and spinach… all of which helps to add a nice amount of moisture to turkey, which can sometimes be a bit dry. It’s a win-win-win!
So here’s my base recipe: (makes 12 good-sized meatballs)
Preheat oven to 370.
Treat muffin tins or, as I prefer, a sheet of parchment paper, with non-stick spray. (See pic below.)
Mix well:
1 egg
1 tsp. dry mustard
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 handful of spinach, rinsed, dried, and chopped
1 small bell pepper, chopped
pepper, and salt if you like
1 lb. ground turkey
1/4 c. bread crumbs
THEN:
1/2 c. sweet fruit (blueberries, cranberries, chopped sweet cherries)
1 spicy, chopped (1 anaheim pepper, 1 jalapeno, 1/3 -1/2 c spicy microgreens – try Hong Vit!)
After everything is mixed well, form into twelve meatballs and put into muffing tins or onto parchment paper. Bake for an hour, turning once or twice. Those blueberries are gonna burst just like they do in muffins; it’s the best part! Oven times/temps vary, so check on your treats. As I said these go well with all kinds of things you prep: eggs, other fruits/veggies, barley, quinoa… make a “Sunday/Thanksgiving Dinner” with broccoli or corn! 🙂 Enjoy!!
Fit From the market 