Meatless Meatball Heros

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup (2 oz.) slivered almonds
• 1 can (19 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed
• 2 eggs
• 1 lemon, zested
• Salt and pepper
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• EVOO, for drizzling


• 2 cups jarred roasted garlic pasta sauce
• 1 large whole grain baguette
• 1 1/2 cups baby spinach

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Using a food processor, grind the almonds to the texture of fine breadcrumbs.
2. In a medium bowl, using a potato masher, coarsely mash the chickpeas with the eggs, lemon zest, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Stir in the mozzarella and almonds.
3. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment; coat lightly with EVOO. Form the mixture into 12 golf-ball-size meatballs and place on the baking sheet. Drizzle with a little EVOO. Bake until golden and firm, 25 to 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the pasta sauce until warmed through. Cut the baguette crosswise into 4 pieces. Split the pieces lengthwise and scoop out a little bread. Brush the baguette lightly with EVOO; toast.
5. To serve, line the bottom pieces of the bread with the spinach. Spoon on a little bit of the warmed sauce; top with the meatballs and remaining sauce.

"I enjoyed the meatless meatball hero's. I have not had meatballs in years, so I can not compare how close these actually tasted to real meatballs. I think it was more the combo of all the ingredients then the actual meatballs themselves that I really enjoyed. I thought the meatballs had a "meaty" flavor coming from a vegetarian, saying that I would not eat these on there own. I think that I will try some of the leftover "meatballs" with spaghetti and see what that is like. I thought that the meal was very filling and satisfying. I would recommend this to a vegetarian that is looking to spicy up their menu, but probably not to a meat eater (I couldn't get the husband to try them)!" ~Annah

"I LOVED these, I was actually talking to Annah on the phone while I started to make them and couldn't keep my hands out of the raw meatless meatball batter (a few raw eggs never hurt anyone, oh wait.. they did?) I didn't follow the directions to well and just threw all the ingredients into the food processor and ground it all up at once, which left my batter a little runny, so I added a cup of mozzarella cheese. By the time I got it out of the oven and piled in on my po-boy roll with a bunch of pizza sauce, it was true vegetarian love!" ~Colleen 

"This is by far the best vegetarian meal that we have ever had." ~my meat-loving husband