Description
Delicious almond and pistachio balls that offer a protein-rich alternative to traditional meatballs, perfect for plant-based eating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup raw almonds (or blanched almonds)
- ½ cup shelled pistachios (unsalted preferred)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternatives)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the nuts: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread almonds and pistachios on a baking sheet and toast for 8-10 minutes until fragrant.
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent (about 4-5 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Process the mixture: In a food processor, pulse the toasted nuts until coarsely ground. Combine with the sautéed onion-garlic mixture, herbs, spices, lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly.
- Form and cook the boulettes: With damp hands, form the mixture into golf ball-sized boulettes. Heat remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook boulettes in batches until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).
- Rest and serve: Allow the boulettes to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Avoid over-processing nuts and skip not toasting them for rich flavor. Let the mixture rest before forming balls if it seems too crumbly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 boulettes
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: boulettes, almond, pistachio, vegetarian meatballs, Mediterranean cuisine