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Lamb Meatballs with Medjool Date Glaze

PREP: 30 minutes
COOK: 20-30 minutes
YIELD: 20 meatballs

This recipe is great for appetizers and pairs well with yogurt-based sauces like tzatziki. You can also stuff these into a pita wrap with veggies for a filling lunch.



Ingredients

  • Lamb Meatballs
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup yellow onion, rough chopped
  • ½ cup chopped fresh Medjool dates (about 5-6 each)
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup panko bread crumb
  • 1pound ground lamb
  • Medjool Date Glaze
  • 1 cup chopped fresh Medjool dates (about 10-12 each)
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a half sheet pan with parchment paper
  2. Place everything except the bread crumbs and ground lamb in a food processor. Pulse until vegetables are broken down and become almost a paste consistency
  3. Place ground lamb and panko bread crumbs in a bowl large enough to accommodate the entire recipe. Mix to combine
  4. Add mixture from the food processor. Mix to combine
  5. Using a 1-ounce portion scoop, portion your meatballs. Shape with your hands to form uniform balls onto the prepared sheet pan. Space meatballs apart to evenly bake
  6. Place in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until browned
  7. For Medjool Date Gastrique: combine dates and apple cider vinegar in a small pot
  8. Cook on low heat, covered to slowly braise dates. Keep mixture at a very low simmer. Stir occasionally
  9. Cook until dates begin to fall apart and become translucent
  10. Strain to remove dates and reserve gastrique
  11. Toss cooked lamb meatballs in gastrique and serve hot

*While Medjool dates are high in natural sugars, they are low on the glycemic index thanks to a balanced amount of soluble fiber. The complex carbohydrates found in Medjool dates are digested at a slower rate, making them a source of dietary fiber and releasing energy to the body over a longer period of time.