Zucchini Meatballs: Tastier Than Meat and Incredibly Delicious

These Zucchini Meatballs are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional meat-based dishes. Packed with vegetables and cheese, these meatballs are not only flavorful but also nutritious. Paired with a smoky, creamy sauce, they make for a perfect meal or appetizer that everyone will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 zucchini
• 2 potatoes
• 1 carrot
• 3.5 oz cheese (100g) (Suluguni or any other cheese of your choice)
• Spring onion (to taste)
• 2 eggs
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• 1 clove garlic (chopped)
• 2 tbsp semolina (20g)
• Vegetable oil (as needed)

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp sour cream (30g)
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (30g)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika powder (4g)
• 2 tsp dried garlic (4g)

The Cooking Process

Step 1: Grate the Zucchini

1. Grate the Zucchini: Begin by grating one zucchini. This will be the base for the zucchini meatballs, providing a light and flavorful texture.

Step 2: Drain the Excess Water

1. Salt and Rest: Place the grated zucchini in a large bowl and sprinkle with some salt. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes. This step helps to draw out excess moisture from the zucchini.
2. Drain: After resting, squeeze out the excess water from the zucchini using your hands or a clean kitchen towel.

Step 3: Prepare Potatoes and Carrot

1. Grate Potatoes and Carrot: While the zucchini is resting, grate two potatoes and a carrot. Squeeze out any excess water from the potatoes and place them in a bowl with the zucchini.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Spring Onion

1. Grate Cheese: Grate 100 grams of Suluguni cheese (or your preferred cheese) and add it to the bowl with the vegetables.
2. Chop Spring Onion: Chop the spring onion and add it to the mixture. This adds a fresh, sharp flavor to the meatballs.

Step 5: Mix in Eggs, Garlic, Salt, and Pepper

1. Combine Ingredients: Crack two eggs into the bowl. Add the chopped garlic, salt, and black pepper to taste.
2. Mix Thoroughly: Mix all the ingredients together until you have a well-blended mixture.

Step 6: Incorporate Semolina and Let It Rest

1. Add Semolina: Mix in two tablespoons of semolina to the vegetable mixture. The semolina helps to bind the ingredients together.
2. Rest the Mixture: Cover the bowl with cling film and let it rest for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the semolina to absorb moisture.

Step 7: Form and Fry the Meatballs

1. Shape the Meatballs: After resting, take small portions of the vegetable mixture and shape them into small balls.
2. Fry: Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the zucchini meatballs for about 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.

Prepare the Flavorful Sauce

Step 8: Create the Delicious Sauce

1. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons of sour cream, two tablespoons of mayonnaise, two teaspoons of smoked paprika powder, and two teaspoons of dried garlic. Stir well until smooth. This smoky, creamy sauce perfectly complements the zucchini meatballs.

Step 9: Oven Finish

1. Bake the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the fried zucchini meatballs on a baking tray and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.

Serving

1. Serve Hot: Once baked, serve the zucchini meatballs warm, alongside the smoky sauce. These meatballs make a perfect light dinner, appetizer, or snack that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Conclusion

These Zucchini Meatballs are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional meat dishes. With a mix of grated vegetables, cheese, and a flavorful sauce, they are sure to impress. Enjoy these tasty bites with family and friends, and savor the fact that something this healthy can be so incredibly delicious!