Paleo Meatballs
Ingredients
For the zoodles
6 large zucchini
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon (14 g) extra virgin olive oil
For the meatballs
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 medium shallots or half a medium onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
2 eggs (100 g, weighed out of shell)
2 tablespoons (18 g) tapioca flour
2 tablespoons stone ground mustard
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For serving
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, warmed
1/2 cup lightly packed basil leaves, julienned
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Trim the ends from the zucchini and spiralize them with the small noodle blade of a spiralizer (or julienne peeler). Place the zucchini noodles in a colander lined with paper towels, add the salt, and toss to combine. Set the zoodles aside while you make the meatballs. The salt will draw out some of the excess moisture so they won’t be soggy.
To make the meatballs, place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Form about 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a ball, using an ice cream or cookie scoop if desired. Place the shaped meatballs on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart from one another. Repeat until you’ve used all the meat. You should have about 20 meatballs. Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until browned on top and cooked through.
When the meatballs have about five minutes left, cook the zoodles. Heat the olive oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add the zoodles and cook, tossing frequently with tongs, until cooked to your liking (about 5 minutes for al dente). Serve the zoodles and meatballs hot topped with the warm tomato sauce and julienned basil.
Becky is a food photographer, recipe developer, and cookbook author who shares creative paleo and gluten-free recipes on her blog, A Calculated Whisk. Her first cookbook, Paleo Planet, includes internationally inspired paleo meals, desserts, sauces, spice blends, and more. Becky enjoys searing short ribs, chopping chocolate, photographing citrus fruit, and salting desserts. She lives in Chattanooga with her fiancé and his cat.