Carrot Meatballs

Carrot meatballs are a tasty and healthy dish, ideal as both an appetizer and a vegetarian main course. Since I like to add an Italian touch, we could give our meatballs a pinch of the Mediterranean by adding some typical spices or aromatic herbs. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 400 g of carrots
• 80 g of breadcrumbs
• 40 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 clove of garlic
• Parsley to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil for frying (you can also bake for a lighter version)

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the carrots, peel them and then grate them finely.
2. In a large bowl, mix the grated carrots with the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, an egg, a bit of salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if desired).
3. Finely chop the garlic and parsley and add them to the mixture.
4. Mix all the ingredients well until you obtain a homogeneous dough. If the mixture seems too soft, add a little breadcrumbs until you reach the desired consistency.
5. Form the meatballs with your hands. If you like, you can roll them in breadcrumbs for a crispier crust.
6. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a pan so that it covers the bottom and, once hot, fry the meatballs until they are golden on all sides. Alternatively, if you prefer to bake, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 180 °C for about 20 minutes until golden.
7. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Serve the carrot meatballs hot or at room temperature, accompanied by a yogurt sauce or another herb-based sauce to enhance their flavor.

Curiosity

Carrot meatballs are an excellent choice for those following a vegetarian diet and want to include more vegetables in their meals creatively. Furthermore, carrots are rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and various vitamins, making this dish not only tasty but also nutritious.