These gluten-free, paleo-friendly pork and fennel meatballs will have you going back for seconds. They’re flavorful, savory and delicious.Truth be told, these pork and fennel meatballs could also easily be a main course. Just add them to a much bigger mound of greens or bed of zucchini noodles with a basil pesto or tomato sauce for a crazy good dinner. In fact, I think I’m gonna do that with my leftover meatballs tomorrow.
Ingredients
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 fennel bulb, finely chopped
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 lbs ground pork
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp ground fennel seed
1 tsp sea salt
pepper, to taste
Garlic Sauted Spinach4 cups packed, baby spinach
1/2 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
* Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in large saute pan on medium heat. Add the chopped onions and fennel and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly translucent. Remove from the heat to cool.
* In a large mixing bowl add the pork, eggs, parsley, fennel seed, salt and pepper. Once the chopped onions and fennel have cooled slightly add them to the mixing bowl and use your hands to mix all ingredients together.
* Shape the pork mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Make all the meatballs and place on a sheet of parchment paper.
* Heat your previously used large saute pan with 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Place the first batch of meatballs in the pan, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook the meatballs 2-3 minutes on one side, then rotate them, so that all sides are browned.
* The meatballs should cook for 15 minutes total or until the inside is no longer pink. When the first batch is done, remove to a paper towel and start the next batch.
* As the meatballs are cooking heat a separate saute pan on medium heat with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sliced fennel and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
* Add the garlic and cook another minute. Lastly, add the spinach and stir together until the spinach begins to wilt.
* Serve immediately by plating a portion of the spinach with 3-4 meatballs.