pelota

Pelota Recipe

Here’s a recipe for Pelota, which are Moroccan-style meatballs.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 500g ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the tomato sauce:

• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
2. Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the onion and garlic. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer.
5. Gently place the meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce, careful not to overcrowd the skillet. Allow the meatballs to cook in the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, occasionally turning, until they are cooked through, and the sauce has thickened.
6. Once the meatballs are cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and let them rest for a few minutes.
7. Serve the Pelota meatballs hot, garnished with fresh parsley. They can be served over rice, couscous, or crusty bread for a complete Moroccan-inspired meal.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Pelota, Moroccan-style meatballs.