I am always looking for new ways to “hide” vegetables in Will’s food. He likes vegetables for the most part but sometimes just won’t eat them. We all have our days, especially toddlers!
Meatballs are easy to make, you can freeze them and add “sneaky” things in, like veggies.
Veggies are important for children (adults too!) and their development and growth so if I can find a way to “sneak” them into a meal I jump at the chance. Turkey, Carrot and Zucchini Meatballs are family friendly and something you can easily add into the rotation with variations.
Other vegetables you could add in to the meatballs:
- Grated mushroom
- Grated cauliflower
- Small peas
- Diced peppers (red, orange, yellow or green)
- Diced tomatoes
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A kid-friendly meatball recipe that the whole family will love with carrot and zucchini.
Ingredients
- **Meatball Recipe
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup zucchini, coarsely shredded
- 1/2 cup milk (I used skim)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Dash of salt
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
- **Sauce Recipe
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2-15 oz cans of tomato sauce
- 1- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 3 tsp. dried basil (or 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil leaves)
- 2 tsp. Herbs de Provence
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional, may be spicy for children)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- To make the sauce heat the olive oil over medium-heat and saute the onion and garlic until translucent. Add remaining ingredients and let simmer while you are making the meatballs.
- To make meatballs, combine panko breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl, and then let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add egg, cheese, parsley, oregano, carrot, zucchini and salt to bowl. Stir until combined.
- Next, add turkey then use hands or fork to mix everything together until barely combined (do not over mix, if you do the meatballs will not be tender).
- Wet your hands and form mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 24 meatballs).
- Gently drop meatballs into tomato sauce (It’s okay if some are not completely covered by the sauce).
- Cover skillet with a lid and cook 20 minutes then gently shake the skillet to move the meatballs around. Cook another 10 minutes or until turkey is cooked through.
- Serve with pasta and the marinara sauce on top.
Meatball Recipe Adapted from Inspired Taste
Sauce recipe is by Julia // A Cedar Spoon
How do you get your kids to eat more vegetables? Do you have tricks to sneak them into meals?
Julia
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I love putting zucchini in meatballs!! So much moisture. Carrots are such a good idea!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl recently posted..Shepherd’s Pie with Horseradish Mashed Parsnips {Dairy Free}
A Cedar Spoon says
I agree! The carrots worked great, you should try it!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Hahaha! I have to do this for my husband! I sneak finely minced carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, and anything else I can think of into sauces or meatballs all the time! I love the zucchini idea! These are going on next week’s menu for sure!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking recently posted..Peach and Ricotta Crepes
A Cedar Spoon says
My husband is the same way, but he has gotten a little better! I am all about sneaking veggies in–they never know the difference! 🙂 Hope you like them.
jessica says
You could always try making veggie balls, no meat necessary!
A Cedar Spoon says
Yes I could!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Ohhh, these look really wonderful! What a great way of getting some good veggies down the kids. I’m going to try it and see how it works! 🙂
A Cedar Spoon says
Thanks Susan! They are yummy and no one will even know the veggies are in there!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I’ve never had a turkey meatball that I’d been introduced to. These look so good!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Homemade Spring Rolls Recipe with a Twist
A Cedar Spoon says
Thanks Maureen. I think you would like them!
Nikki @Seeded at the Table says
What a great way to incorporate some veggies!!
A Cedar Spoon says
Thanks Nikki! 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
The kids in my family really would love this!