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Meatballs are always one of my first suggestions to people switching to a cleaner diet or starting AIP. I found I don’t need to use bread crumbs to make meatballs, like in my Easy Italian Paleo Meatballs or these Paleo Asian-Inspired Meatballs. However, I thought I needed eggs to bind them, for sure.
Nope, not true!
These AIP Turkey Meatballs with Hidden Veggies require no eggs or breadcrumbs and they are moist and flavorful.
If you are following my ebook, “The Complete Guide to Eating for Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis,” to guide you through the phases of gut-healing, these will work in the Healing season if you’re extra-sensitive, but should work for the Flaring season!
Now, let’s get on to why there are hidden veggies in these balls of meat.
Well, first, veggies, DUH! Most of us could use more veggies every day, including me. I am the first to admit, vegetables are not my favorite food group.
By grating vegetables and mixing them in meat (which, is my favorite), I have no problem gobbling up a bunch. Serve a vegetable as a side dish with these meatballs and you will be rocking the veg game!
Now, an important note:
When you mix everything together in a bowl, it will be sticky and wet.
I repeat, it will be sticky and wet.
It’s okay. Simply wet your fingers after every third meatball or so that you roll. This helps to keep the mixture from sticking to you.
Like any meatball recipe, these are easy to make during meal prep sessions, pack for work and school lunches, and for your freezer stash. You can heat these up right from the freezer to enjoy.
These are even a great real food breakfast option.
AIP (or paleo or real food) eating does not have to be boring, repetitive, or flavorless. There are so many whole foods, herbs, and spices to making any food exciting!
Need support on your autoimmune journey?
Grab my ebook, The Complete Guide to Eating for Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis for Every Season of Health, NEW! The same process I use to help my private practice clients happily heal their digestion and expand their diet, now in a compact ebook to get you on the gut-healing map!
AIP Turkey Meatballs with Hidden Veggies
MAKES ABOUT 16 MEATBALLS
Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey, organic or pasture-raised if possible
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
one carrot, grated
one zucchini, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl except for the carrot and zucchini.
- Peel and grate the carrot and add to the bowl. Peel, grate, and squeeze the water out of the zucchini in a separate bowl. (I used paper towels but a kitchen towel works, too). Then add to the bowl.
- Combine all ingredients. It will be wet and sticky. Wetting your fingers with water will help. Roll into meatballs and put in the oven for 35 minutes.
