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Meatless Monday: Tomatokeftedes (Tomato Balls) with Tzatziki Zucchini Pasta

Prep Time 17 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the tzatziki sauce
  • 1/2 of a cucumber
  • 1/3 cup 0% plain Greek Yogurt I used Chobani
  • 1 garlic clove very minced
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • a few 3-4 cranks of a sea salt grinder
  • a couple cranks 2-3 of the peppercorn grinder, to taste
  • For the tomato balls and pasta
  • 1 large zucchini peeled, Blade C
  • 1 cup baby vine tomatoes chopped
  • 3-4 tbsp spring onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp warm water
  • 1 tbsp mint chopped
  • 1 pinch of oregano
  • 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup of Pecorino Romano cheese recipe calls for kefalotyri, but normal grocery stores don't carry it so this will do
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 405 degrees.
  • Take the cucumber and peel it. With a teaspoon, scrape out the seeds in the inside of the cucumber and discard.
  • Time to prepare the tzatziki sauce. Loosely chop the cucumber and put it into a food processor. Pulse until big chunks are gone. If you don't have a food processor, finely chop the cucumber. When done, place into a bowl with the rest of the ingredients for the sauce (Greek yogurt, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dill, lemon juice, salt, pepper). Place in the refrigerator.
  • Next, prepare the tomato ball mixture. In a large bowl, place in all of the ingredients and mix together with hands until the mixture is thick and sticky enough to create about 2 large tomato balls. If needed, add more flour and water. Form the tomato balls with your hands.
  • Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place on the tomato balls. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, flip over and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until tomato balls are browned on the outside and don't easily fall apart with poked with a fork. When done, take out of the oven and set aside.
  • Pour the tzatziki sauce over the zucchini pasta and mix thoroughly to combine. Place in a bowl. Top with tomato balls and enjoy!