Thursday, August 1, 2013

Zucchini "noodles" with Turkey Meatballs and Simple Marinara Sauce

          We love Italian food! Low carb, low calorie, but there's no skimping on the flavor, yum!

Ingredients:
32 oz ground turkey
1 can of 14.5 oz Hunts Fire Roasted Tomatoes
3 zucchini
1 minced clove of garlic
2 tbs melted coconut oil

Seasonings:
1/4 tbs onion powder
1/2 tbs garlic powder
1 tbs fennel seed
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tbs fresh basil (plus save 1 tbs of basil for garnish)
1/4 tbs fresh rosemary

Pre-heat the oven to 400 deg F.
Oil a 9x13 baking pan with 1.5 tbs coconut oil.
In a large bowl gently combine the ground turkey, and onion powder, garlic powder, fennel seeds, and about 1/2 tbs sea salt 1/4 tbs pepper seasonings using your hands. Roll golf ball sized meat balls and place in the baking pan. To get a nice outer crust roll each of the meat balls a little in the coconut oil so all the sides are slightly oiled. Each ball should be about 1.25 oz of turkey which will produce 24 meat balls (3 rows of 8 as seen in the picture). Place in the oven uncovered for 12-18 minutes (the meat should be a nice golden brown).

While the meat balls are baking, cut off the ends on the zucchini and use a potato peeler to peel off the outer skin on the zucchini. Toss the skin into your compost or garbage. Now we're going to make the "noodles" with the potato peeler run even ribbons of zucchini for all 3 zucchini. As you approach the seeds then rotate the zucchini. The core with the seeds will be used in the sauce but contain too much moisture to be noodles.

Toss the "noodles" with the remaining 1/2 tbs melted coconut oil and lightly salt and pepper then set aside for the last minute to warm through before serving.

In a blender combine the zucchini cores (chopped), 1 can of roasted tomatoes, minced garlic clove, rosemary and basil. Once evenly combined pour into a sauce pan and season lightly with salt and pepper.

Remove the meat balls from the oven and let them rest for 1-2 minutes out of the oven while you gently toss the zucchini "noodles" over medium heat just enough to warm them through. You don't want to COOK the zucchini just get it warm. Plate the "noodles" top with 3 meat balls (4 oz serving of turkey) and spoon on the sauce. Garnish with a little fresh basil and ENJOY!






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