Juicy, lean Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs

1 Comment

Hands down the juiciest turkey meatballs you can make. The secret to the moistness in these meatballs is a combination of yogurt, zucchini and bread. Try these, and you will think twice before buying store bought meatballs again. And it’s also a great way to sneak some veggies in!

Our family loves meatballs….in pasta, curry, Mediterranean bowls, a sub, or on its own, the possibilities are endless. It’s easy to make meatballs at home and freeze them. Turkey meatballs can be still juicy and delicious and most of all, lean and healthier than beef meatballs.

Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: for 4 – 6;people

Ingredients

  • 1.25 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 small red onion finely diced
  • 2 cups baby spinach (chopped)
  • 1 tsp dried chili flakes (optional if you like it spicy)
  • 1 cup grated zucchini, liquid squeezed out well
  • 2 slices whole wheat bread, or gluten-free bread
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs, or gluten-free panko
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp fried oregano, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 tsp kosher salt and fresh black pepper
  • Olive oil cooking spray

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degree Fahrenheit.
  2. Spray olive oil on a sheet pan and set aside.
  3. Put the slices of bread in a bowl and cover the slices with water. Allow it to soak for about 1 minute.  Discard the water and squeeze the water out from the bread. Crumble it a bit with your hands and add it to a mixing bowl.
  4. To the same mixing bowl, add in the rest of the ingredients seasoning with salt and pepper.
  5. Form balls (golf sized) with that mixture and arrange them on a sheet pan.
  6. Bake in the heated oven for 30 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked.
  7. Then transfer to the top rack and turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until the tops are boiled.
  8. Alternatively, in a skillet, add in a tablespoon of olive oil and heat on medium flame. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook over low heat, until cooked through, turning halfway, for about 10-12 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.
  9. Serve them in a Mediterranean bowl with greens, feta, olives, couscous, and all the sauces you like. Alternatively, they taste great in pasta.

Mediterranean Flatbread (Za’atar flatbread)

Leave a comment

This past summer, we stopped by Abu Dhabi enroute to India. It was a few days of beautiful sights and the most delicious middle eastern food. The Za’atar on tender bread reminded Nilesh of his days growing up in the middle east. He couldn’t stop talking about those flavors even after a month so this afternoon, we stopped by a Lebanese grocery store, picked up some Za’atar spice and gyros bread and used our home grown tomatoes to make some scrumptious Middle Eastern flatbread.

What’s Za’atar? It’s a herb and spice mix that tastes a bit nutty, savory and crunchy. The herb, originally is a herb called hyssop, although in the US, oregano or thyme replace it. The spices are a combination of sumac, coriander seeds and sesame seeds.

Benefits of Za’atar: In some parts of the middle east, there is a belief that Za’atar makes the mind alert and is also used to prevent or eliminate internal parasites. It’s also known to sooth inflammation, boost skin health and build strong bones. No wonder, Lebanese kids are encouraged to have it for breakfast. You can drizzle it over vegetables, avocado on toast, or mix it up with olive oil for use on a pizza/flatbread.

Cook time: 10 mins. Prep time: 5 mins

Servings: 2

For the pizza

  • 2 pitas or naans
  • 1 large tomato cut into half and then sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Za’atar spice mix

Tahini Sauce for drizzle

  • 1/2 cup Tahini (sesame paste)
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 8 tablespoons cold water

Method for Tahini sauce:

Blend all ingredients together to form sauce. Add extra water for desired consistency.

Method for pizza: (Oven/ Foodi/ Air fryer options)

  • Preheat Foodi or Air Fryer with air fryer option to 375 degree Farenheit or Oven to 400 degrees
  • Mix Za’atar and olive oil and brush the mix on the pita
  • Layer tomato slices
  • Cook in air fryer or over for 10 mins
  • Remove and drizzle with tahini sauce to serve