Eggplant "Meat" Balls with Chimichurri

2022-06-30
Eggplant "Meat" Balls with Chimichurri
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Chill Time:
15 mins
Bake Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
25 "meat"balls and 1/2 cup chimichurri

Ingredients

  • 1 medium eggplant, peeled and coarsely chopped (5 cups)

  • 1 8 ounce pkg. cremini mushrooms, coarsely chopped

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs

  • ½ cup cashews, finely chopped

  • ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (3 oz.)

  • 1 egg, lightly beaten

  • 3 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro

  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • Chimichurri Sauce (below)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Arrange chopped eggplant and mushrooms on prepared pan and drizzle with olive oil; toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake about 15 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. Remove from oven; set aside to cool.

  2. Once cooled, transfer veggies to the bowl of a food processor. Cover and pulse until finely chopped and mixture resembles the texture of ground meat. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.

  3. To the vegetable mixture add bread crumbs, cashews, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, egg, cilantro, tomato paste, soy sauce, garlic, and crushed red pepper; mix well. Cover and chill at least 15 minutes before shaping.

  4. Line rimmed baking pan with parchment paper; set aside. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (about 2 Tbsp. each) and arrange in prepared pan. Lightly coat tops of meatballs with cooking spray. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Serve drizzled with Chimichurri Sauce; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Chimichurri Sauce

In a food processor or blender combine 1 1/2 cups packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano, 2 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot, 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp. lime juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper. Cover and blend or process until finely chopped, scraping sides as necessary; set aside.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

509 Calories
38g Fat
31g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 509
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 38g 49%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 57mg 19%
Sodium 792mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 16g 32%
Vitamin C 39.2mg 44%
Calcium 289mg 22%
Iron 4.6mg 26%
Potassium 923mg 20%
Folate, total 92.1mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.4mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.4mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Article

Our Million Dollar Pumpkin Tart Is Filled with Rich Caramel and Chocolate

Our Million Dollar Pumpkin Tart Is Filled with Rich Caramel and Chocolate

Classic pumpkin pie will always have its superfans, but this exciting new rendition might just steal the spotlight this year. Our million dollar pumpkin tart is filled with pumpkin, dulce de leche, and rich chocolate ganache.
This Retro 3-Ingredient Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe Tastes Like Dessert

This Retro 3-Ingredient Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe Tastes Like Dessert

Learn how to make a grasshopper cocktail recipe that tastes like mint-chocolate chip ice cream or those chocolate-mint candies. This easy cocktail recipe is a dreamy after-dinner drink idea and calls for just three ingredients, so it’s a breeze to make at home.
Our Hyper-Refreshing Tomato-Basil Spritz Makes the Most of Your Summer Harvest

Our Hyper-Refreshing Tomato-Basil Spritz Makes the Most of Your Summer Harvest

Our Tomato-Basil Spritz cocktail recipe starts with a homemade Tomato-Basil Shrub, freezes it into colorful Cherry Tomato-Basil Ice Cubes, and combines it all into the perfect drink.
Adding Cachaça to Your Liquor Lineup Is the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Home Bar

Adding Cachaça to Your Liquor Lineup Is the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Home Bar

Cachaça—the main ingredient in the Caipirinha cocktail—has the potential to take your bar cart to professional status.
DIY Dumpling Wrappers

DIY Dumpling Wrappers

This easy dumpling wrapper recipe takes just flour, water, and time to make pillowy dumpling wrappers from scratch. Double, triple, or further scale this recipe to make as many wrappers as you need.
How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras

How to Make a King Cake for Mardi Gras

Our king cake recipe features the classic ring shape and uses a pecan as the hidden baby. Learn about the king cake tradition and how you can celebrate Mardi Gras at home.
Copycat Giant Peppermint-Chocolate Cookies Are the Perfect Holiday Treat

Copycat Giant Peppermint-Chocolate Cookies Are the Perfect Holiday Treat

Inspired by New York's famous cookies, this riff is made with dark chocolate and peppermint. Our copycat giant peppermint-chocolate cookie recipe is the perfect holiday treat.
5 of the Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Cold—And 3 to Avoid

5 of the Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Cold—And 3 to Avoid

Caught a cold—or have a family member who has fallen ill? Support recovery by stoking the menu with the best foods to eat when you have a cold. These foods to eat when you have a cold won’t cure it for you, but bolstering your immune system with certain vitamins and minerals can potentially help you bounce back faster.
How to Store Corn on the Cob, According to Our Test Kitchen

How to Store Corn on the Cob, According to Our Test Kitchen

Curious about how to store corn on the cob? For the best flavor and juiciest kernels, you’ll consume it within 24 hours of being picked. But if you'd like to learn how to store corn longer, we’ll explain how to do so in the fridge for 1 week. We’re also revealing two options for how to store corn for up to a year.
How to Make Ceviche at Home

How to Make Ceviche at Home

Ceviche is a delicious dish made with raw fish, citrus, and fresh veggies. It's often served with tortilla or plantain chips. We'll walk you through how to make ceviche at home, including our Test Kitchen's tips for selecting the freshest fish at the market.
How to Make Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

How to Make Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

This year, skip the canned condensed soup and make a batch of homemade cream of mushroom soup. This version is richer, more flavorful, and surprisingly, just about as easy to make as opening a can.
Minnesota Hotdish Is the Regional Casserole Recipe You Need to Try

Minnesota Hotdish Is the Regional Casserole Recipe You Need to Try

A retro recipe from Minnesota, hot dish is an easy-to-make casserole that's topped with Tater Tots and baked until bubbly. Here's our Test Kitchen's recipe for Tater Tot hot dish, including tips for meal prepping the dish ahead.
Million Dollar Bacon Is Totally Addictive—And So Easy to Make

Million Dollar Bacon Is Totally Addictive—And So Easy to Make

Give your breakfast a major upgrade with a side of sweet and salty million dollar bacon. This easy bacon recipe starts with thick cut slices that are slathered with maple syrup and cracked black pepper.
Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed acorn squash recipes are trending and for good reason, this vegetable is just begging to be stuffed. Here we filled it with hearty bulgur and carrots, but also included dried fruit and citrus to brighten things up.
Mashed New Potatoes

Mashed New Potatoes

Mashed New Potatoes
How to Wrap a Sandwich for a Picture-Perfect Picnic

How to Wrap a Sandwich for a Picture-Perfect Picnic

Keep all those fillings from spilling out using a sandwich wrap paper of your choice and these tips.
Sweet Tortilla Wraps

Sweet Tortilla Wraps

Customize these sweet wraps for any craving or for any ingredients you have on hand. The options are endless for this make-and-take breakfast or snack idea.
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders

Make hot Italian sausage subs for a crowd with this easy slow cooker sandwich recipe. This easy Italian sandwich recipe makes enough meat for 12 subs, so it's great for a party or potluck.
Avocado BLT Club Sandwiches

Avocado BLT Club Sandwiches

Adding a few extra ingredients to your BLT will make it even better. These hearty sandwiches include classic BLT ingredients, plus turkey, ham, and avocado slices.
How to Cook Brisket on a Charcoal Grill That’s Tender and Juicy

How to Cook Brisket on a Charcoal Grill That’s Tender and Juicy

Before you invite everyone over for another backyard barbecue, learn how to cook a brisket on a charcoal grill and impress everyone with juicy, tender, smoky meat