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veggie meatballs

These crispy vegetarian meatballs are served with a creamy garlic-mint sauce, offering a simple yet delicious appetizer that doubles as a main course when nestled inside flour tortillas.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 16
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vegetarian Meatballs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 medium russet potatoes shredded
  • 2 large carrots shredded
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 14 ounces can of sweet peas rinsed and drained
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons corn flour
  • 0.25 cup plain breadcrumbs plus more for coating the veggie meatballs
  • 0.25 cup oil for frying
Optional Serving Suggestions
  • flour tortillas or pita bread
For the Yogurt Sauce
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • salt to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 0.25 teaspoon dried mint

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the diced onion; cook for 2 minutes or until softened.
  2. Add the shredded potatoes and carrots and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Mix in the garlic and peas. Season with salt, pepper, and chili powder; continue to cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in the lemon juice, corn flour, and 0.25 cup breadcrumbs; set aside until the mixture is cooled.
  5. Shape the veggie mixture into 15 to 20 meatballs and chill them in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
  6. Place the remaining breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.
  7. Heat the oil for frying.
  8. Roll the balls in breadcrumbs and coat them on all sides.
  9. Add them to the hot oil, 4 to 5 meatballs at a time. Cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, turn and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until nicely browned.
  10. Drain on paper towels and repeat the process with the remaining veggie balls.
For the Yogurt Sauce
  1. Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse a few times, or just enough to mix it all together until smooth.
  2. Spoon the yogurt sauce into a bowl. You could also spread the yogurt sauce on a pita or tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, and the veggie meatballs; roll and serve.
  3. You can also skewer the meatballs and serve as an appetizer with the yogurt sauce on the side.

Notes

These veggie meatballs are delicious served as an appetizer with the yogurt sauce, or as a main dish tucked into flour tortillas or pita bread with your favorite toppings.