Sweet And Sassy Meatballs

Total Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into thick chunks
• 2 -3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup orange puree
• 2 tablespoons jam, no-sugar (strawberry, grape or seedless raspberry)
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 lb lean ground beef

Recipe

• 1 orange puree: in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sweet potato and carrots and enough cool water to cover the vegetables. bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes or until the carrots are very tender.
• 2 drain vegetables, then transfer them to a food processor. add 2 tablespoons of the water.
• 3 purée on high until very smooth. stop as needed to scape sides of bowl. if needed, add another tablespoon of water to ensure a smooth consistency.
• 4 the purée can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen in 1/4 cup portions for up to 3 months.
• 5 meatballs: heat oven to 350°f use oil to coat a rimmed baking sheet. in a large bowl, whisk together egg, garlic, ginger, orange purée, jam, ketchup, salt and wheat germ. add ground meat and mix with your hands until well combined.
• 6 using damp hands, pinch off large tablespoons of the meat mixture and gently shape into balls. arrange meatballs on prepared baking sheet. bake for 10 minutes, then use a spatula to flip meatballs and cook for another 10 minutes or until browned.