Author Notes
For a pretty easy fun holiday dish for an open house this recipe works really well. You can make these well ahead of time and heat in a crock pot for a party. The best way to serve these for a large party is in a shallow chafing dish over a warming plate with lots of toothpicks. The flavors develop nicely overnight, if you can make these a day a head. They also freeze well. You can cut this recipe in half easily if you do not need so many. These are pretty healthy for a party dish, too, and can be kept kosher. I just used gluten-free ginger snaps that worked out really well in this batch. The spices will add a holiday scent to your home. - Sagegreen —Sagegreen
Test Kitchen Notes
I loved these meatballs. The apple flavor came through so well, accentuated by the fennel and rosemary notes. It's also great that the meatballs can be prepared ahead. I recommend doing this for less stress on party day but would suggest making the sauce the day that the meatballs will be served -- I had to thin my sauce out after it chilled and I reheated it to serve the next day.
This is really a dish for an adult affair, my kids (normally adventurous), didn't really like them. The meatballs have a hearty flavor profile that I found very satisfying for a dish for a cold winter's night. They pair very well with beer and hard cider and their high protein content makes them a good choice if alcohol will be served. —epickles
Ingredients
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1 pound
ground turkey
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1 pound
ground beef
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1 cup
finely chopped onion
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3 ounces
ale, pumpkin or amber
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6 ounces
crushed ginger snaps
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zest from one lemon, divided in half
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zest from one orange, divided in half
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1 ounce
fresh grated and peeled ginger, divided in half
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1 tablespoon
applesauce, preferably homemade with cinnamon
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1 teaspoon
kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon
fresh milled black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon
ground fennel seed, optional
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1 cup
turkey broth, preferably homemade
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1/2 cup
apple cider vinegar
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6 ounces
pumpkin or amber ale
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4 ounces
applesauce, preferably homemade with cinnamon
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4 ounces
crushed ginger snaps
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1 tablespoon
cornstarch or flour
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a 1x2 inch piece of pancetta, chopped, optional
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1/2 tablespoon
molasses
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1 tablespoon
real maple syrup
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1 tablespoon
brown sugar, to taste
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1 teaspoon
kosher salt, to taste
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1/2 teaspoon
ground black pepper
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pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon
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1 shot
calvados
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sprigs of fresh rosemary, optional
Directions
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In a large bowl combine the two ground meats. Work in the onions.
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Pour 3 oz. of the ale over 6 oz. of the ginger snaps to soften. Then combine with the meat. Add the zest of one half lemon and orange, half the fresh ginger, 1 tbl. applesauce, salt and pepper and optional fennel. Mix thoroughly with clean hands. Roll in your hands to form 48 meatballs, a little under an inch in diameter.
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Arrange the meatballs on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until browned.
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In a saucepan pour in the turkey broth, cider vinegar, and 6 oz. of ale. Add optional pancetta, 4 oz. applesauce mixed with the cornstarch or flour, 4 oz. of crushed ginger snaps, molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, the other half of the orange and lemon zest and grated ginger, spice, salt and pepper, and a sprig of optional rosemary. Heat the sauce. Add a shot of calvados. Keep warm.
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After the meatballs are done in the oven, add them to the sauce and cook for at least another 10 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Although these can be served at this point, you can also let them cool and reheat the next day. These can be served with rosemary sprigs as garnish and toothpicks for a holiday party. For a dinner these are best served over egg noodles or with spaetzle.
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