Oven-baked vegetable meatballs

Name: Oven-baked vegetable meatballs - Ivona M.
Ingredients: 1 zucchini; 3 large potatoes; 2 carrots; 3 green onions; 1/2 red bell pepper; 2 eggs; 3; 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs; 1/4 teaspoon chili; 1/2 teaspoon salt; chopped fresh parsley; sesame seeds: about 2 tablespoons

Savory - Oven-baked vegetable meatballs by Ivona M. - Recipia

Baked vegetable patties are a lighter alternative to those fried in oil. I make them when I want to use more vegetables in the same meal, and the combination of zucchini, potatoes, carrots, green onions, and bell peppers is simple and tasty. The patties are easy to shape, especially if the vegetables are well squeezed, and some can be rolled in sesame seeds before baking. Quick Info Preparation time: not specified exactly; includes cleaning, grating, squeezing, and shaping the patties Baking time: about 30-35 minutes Total time: preparation time plus 30-35 minutes of baking Servings: about 16 patties Difficulty: easy Recipe type: baked vegetable patties, suitable for lunch or dinner Ingredients 1 zucchini 3 large potatoes 2 carrots 3 green onion stalks 1/2 red bell pepper 2 eggs 3-4 tablespoons breadcrumbs 1/4 teaspoon chili 1/2 teaspoon salt Chopped fresh parsley About 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds, optional Preparation method 1. Clean and wash all the vegetables well. Grate the zucchini and potatoes on a fine grater, then squeeze out some water. It is important to remove as much liquid as possible, especially from the zucchini, so that the mixture is not too soft. 2. Grate the carrots on a fine grater as well. Chop the green onions and red bell pepper finely. If you have a chopper, you can use it for the onion and pepper to shorten preparation time. 3. Place all the vegetables in a large bowl. Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, chili, and chopped fresh parsley. 4. Mix well until the mixture becomes homogeneous. The 3-4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs are added depending on how moist the vegetables remain. If the zucchini and potatoes have been well squeezed, the mixture should be easy to shape. 5. Shape about 16 patties by hand. They do not need to be perfectly round; it is better for them to be slightly flat, so they bake evenly. 6. Place the patties on a baking sheet. Some of them can be rolled in sesame seeds before being placed in the tray. Sesame is optional. 7. Bake the patties in a preheated oven at 175 degrees for about 30-35 minutes. If you have a gas oven, use medium heat. 8. They are ready when baked and have taken on a little color. Let them cool slightly before serving, as they are more fragile while very hot. Why I make this recipe often I love this recipe because it uses a few common vegetables and does not require frying in oil. The patties are prepared in one bowl, and the mixture can be shaped without complicated techniques. They are also useful when I want to include more vegetables in the menu without preparing each ingredient separately. The texture depends a lot on how well the zucchini and potatoes are squeezed. If the vegetables remain very watery, the patties will be harder to shape and may remain soft after baking. Therefore, this step is worth doing carefully. Tips and variations Tips Squeeze the zucchini and potatoes before putting them in the bowl. It is not necessary to dry them completely, but excess water should be removed. Add the breadcrumbs gradually, within the limits of the 3-4 tablespoons indicated in the recipe. The exact amount depends on the moisture of the vegetables. Shape the patties flatter than regular balls. This way, they will bake more evenly in the 30-35 minutes. Do not overcrowd the patties in the tray. Leave some space between them for better baking. The sesame seeds can be used on only some of the patties or on all, according to preference. They are optional but add a pleasant texture to the outside. Substitutions The recipe does not include mandatory substitutions for the main ingredients. The greens can be chosen according to taste, as mentioned in the basic recipe. You can use the indicated parsley or other herbs you like without changing the principle of the recipe. If you do not want sesame, you can omit it. The patties bake well even without this layer. Variations You can use more or fewer greens, depending on the desired taste. The chili adds a slight spiciness, so it can be kept or adjusted according to how spicy you prefer the patties. A simple variation is to roll only some of the patties in sesame. This way, you will have both patties with a seed crust and those without sesame from the same mixture. Serving ideas The patties can be served plain, immediately after they have cooled slightly. They are suitable for a lunch or dinner meal and can also be eaten as a snack, as they have an easy-to-serve shape. Frequently asked questions Why should the vegetables be squeezed? Zucchini and potatoes can release a lot of water after being grated. If the liquid remains in the mixture, the patties will be harder to shape, and the mixture may become too soft. Squeezing reduces moisture and helps the breadcrumbs bind the ingredients. Can I make the patties without sesame seeds? Yes. Sesame seeds are optional. In the recipe, only some of the patties were rolled in sesame, while the rest were placed directly on the baking sheet. How long do the patties bake? They bake for about 30-35 minutes in a preheated oven at 175 degrees. For a gas oven, medium heat is used, according to the instructions in the recipe. How many patties does this mixture yield? From the indicated quantities, approximately 16 patties can be formed. The number may vary slightly depending on their size and thickness. Can I use other greens? Yes. The recipe allows for the use of preferred greens to adjust the flavor of the patties. The indicated parsley is the mentioned ingredient, but the greens can be adapted. Nutritional values The values below are estimates and depend on the size of the potatoes, zucchini, and carrots, as well as the amount of breadcrumbs and sesame seeds used. For the entire recipe: Calories: approximately 1,100-1,300 kcal Proteins: approximately 40-45 g Carbohydrates: approximately 180-200 g Fats: approximately 25-35 g For one patty, if 16 pieces result: Calories: approximately 70-80 kcal Proteins: approximately 2-3 g Carbohydrates: approximately 11-13 g Fats: approximately 1.5-2.5 g The sesame seeds may slightly increase the caloric value and fat content for the patties they are used on. These figures are indicative, not values calculated from an exact nutritional label. Storage and reheating The basic recipe does not specify an exact storage time or reheating method. The patties are more enjoyable while freshly baked when the exterior is firmer, and the interior remains soft. If there are leftovers after the meal, store them under proper conditions for cooked food and consume them as soon as possible. When reheating, avoid excessive heating, as they may dry out and lose their texture.

Oven-baked vegetable meatballs

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