Description
Sumptuous zucchini meatballs bring Mediterranean charm to your dinner table, blending fresh garden vegetables with hearty Italian herbs. Savory and protein-packed, these plant-based bites will delight you with their robust flavor and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups shredded zucchini
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Several cranks of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375°F and arrange a baking sheet with non-stick foil or parchment paper.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic.
- Add shredded zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and cook approximately 5 minutes until moisture significantly reduces.
- Transfer zucchini to a colander, pressing firmly to extract excess liquid. Alternatively, use paper towels for quick moisture removal.
- Combine breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, chopped basil, and egg in a mixing bowl.
- Incorporate drained zucchini into the mixture, ensuring ingredients are thoroughly blended and consistency allows ball formation.
- Utilize a two-tablespoon scoop to portion and shape mixture into compact, uniform spheres, yielding approximately 20 meatballs.
- Distribute meatballs evenly across prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each.
- Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and centers remain tender, achieving a crisp shell with soft interior.
Notes
- Squeeze out excess liquid from zucchini using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to prevent soggy meatballs and ensure a crispy exterior.
- Use fresh eggs at room temperature for better mixture cohesion and smoother texture in the meatballs.
- Experiment with different herbs like oregano or thyme to customize the taste profile and add depth to the vegetarian meatballs.
- Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg