Fry

Turkey meatballs on spaghetti squash in a bell pepperĀ ragu

October 18, 2012
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  • Serves 4 or 2 friends who like to eat
Author Notes

I created this meal for my carnivorous best friend so she could eat have as much room for these meatballs as possible since spaghetti squash is so light and lovely when cooked properly. —DUZE @BakingBackwards

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Meatballs
  • 3/4 pound dark turkey meat, ethical or organic
  • 3/4 pound light turkey meat, ethical or organic
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (I use wholegrain spelt)
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped fine
  • 1/4 sweet onion, caramalised in oil
  • 1/4 red onion, caramalised in oil
  • 2 pinches sea salt
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated pecorinio romano cheese
  • 2 dashes freshly cracked black pepper
  • Dash paprika
  • olive oil for frying
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Bell pepper ragu
  • 1 large can pressed (not whole or diced!) organic tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 pinches sea salt
  • frsehly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 sweet onion, chopped fine
  • 1/4 red onion, chopped fine
  • 1 rib celery, chopped fine
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped fine
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • Dash cinammon
  • Dash paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Tablespoon balsamic vinegar (for sweetness)
  • 1 orange bell pepper, rough chop
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, rough chop
Directions
  1. To make ragu: In a large soup pot heat olive oil on medium high heat. Add onions, saute until translucent. Add carrots, celery and spices and cook until slightly softened. Add garlic, cook one minute. Add bell peppers, cook one minute. Add wine, allow to reduce, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, incorporate into sauteed vegetables. Cook three minutes. Add vinegar. Reduce heat to simmer. Make meatballs. To make meatballs: Combine all ingredients in a bowl with a fork. Form into palm sized balls in your hands. Fry on medium high heat with a good dose of extra virgin olive oil, turning balls to become golden on all sides. Non-stick pan may be a good idea as they can burn easily. Remove once browned into prepared ragu sauce. Heat until thoroughly cook through over medium high heat (approx 10 minutes).
  2. Serve with spaghetti squash prepared as advised on squash. Cut in half, deseed. Put face down in baking dish. rub olive oil all over and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 until nearly tender. Flip and bake five more minutes. Scoop out spaghetti like strands with a fork into bowls or onto plates. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Add about 1/4 cup grated pecorino over each person's serving. Serve meatballs in sauce either beside or on top. Drizzle meatballs with a little EVOO, some cracked pepper and a sprinkle of pecorino. Enjoy with wine!

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