Meatless Mondays "Meatball" Soup

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. A note about lemons. When I suggest that you use Meyer lemons if at all possible, it is because of their tender zest, the sweet tones in their flavor, and their smaller size, all relative to regular lemons. That said, they aren't available year-round. If you need to substitute regular lemons, using half as much of both the juice and zest where called for. Also add the zest and juice of a quarter orange to add back some of the sweetness lost if Meyers aren't available. And if the flavor is still just a bit too tart, simply dilute it with some additional stock. Bon appétit!
3. Film the bottom of a medium skillet with olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Add the onions and a good pinch of salt. Sauté until softened. Add the garlic, walnut pieces, cardamom, sage leaves and Panko (or bread crumbs). Sauté, stirring often, until walnuts and garlic are fragrant, and Panko takes on a toasted color, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Transfer contents of skillet to bowl of a food processor. Add the garbanzo beans and lemon zest, and pulse until well blended, but not puréed. Add the egg and pulse until nearly a paste-like consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment. I use a small ice cream scoop that’s about 1 1/2” in diameter (#30) to scoop the “meatballs.” If you don’t have one, use a soup spoon to scoop up about the same amount, and roll them between your palms to round (you may need to dip your palms in some flour). You should get 16, and they will fit on one baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, rotating at the halfway point. They want to be a bit firm, and have a nice crust on the outside. While they are baking, prepare the soup.
7. Trim the cauliflower. Quarter the larger florets. Add the cauliflower florets and the stock to a soup pot. Bring to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce heat to an active simmer. Cook until they are very tender (pierce a stem with a paring knife), about 15 minutes.
8. When cauliflower is very soft, add the spinach. Replace the lid and steam until spinach has wilted, about 5-7 minutes more.
9. Remove the pot from the heat. This is a job for an immersion blender. Add the lemon juice and purée the sauce right in the pot until it is as smooth as possible. Add stock as needed; the consistency wants to be pourable, not thick. Alternatively, use a food processor, or a blender. Though if the latter, be careful, as hot liquids tend to take on a life of their own in a blender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Re-warm if necessary before serving.
10. Serve in pasta bowls. Pour a couple of ladles of soup in the bottom of each one. Think shallow end of the pool; you don't want the meatballs to drown. Add 3 or 4 meatballs. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over, garnish with Feta, and please don’t forget the parsley!
11. Serve with some good bread so you don’t leave a drop of sauce behind.