It’s safe to say that every Italian nonna has her own secret for making perfect, juicy meatballs. My nonna always soaked day-old bread in milk and used her special blend of fresh herbs and spices.
Sometimes she would combine different types of meat, usually beef, pork, and veal. Whatever the secret was to her recipe, nonna’s meatballs always had that oh-so-perfect texture and delicious flavour!
These delicious and healthy veal broccoli rabe mini meatballs would make any nonna proud! While most nonna’s are not too concerned about the nutritional facts of traditional meatballs, I instead, have upped the health ante by substituting one egg with a vegan-friendly flax egg and added fresh herbs and a healthy dose of vitamin K, C and A rich broccoli rabe.
Since my son is still in his picky toddler phase and is very reluctant to try, let alone eat any green foods, I wasn’t sure if these would be appreciated.
Having said that, my son is a fan of fresh herbs and so I stretched the truth just a bit and told him the green bits were herbs. This little white ‘for your own good’ lie convinced him enough to give these veal broccoli rabe meatballs a try…and to my surprise, he loved them!
If you’re not a nonna, meatballs can be difficult and dauting to make. For some reason, it’s not as easy as it seems to get that perfect texture, the ideal combination of herbs and spices, and not to mention the correct cooking time.
Most meatball-making newbies will most likey over or under-season their meatballs. My remedy for this is simple; once the meatball mixture is prepared, simply take 1 teaspoon of the mixture and fry it in a small pan then taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed. This trick ensures that you won’t end up with an entire batch of poorly seasoned meatballs!
Serve these delicious veal broccoli rabe mini meatballs warm as is or smothered in sweet homemade tomato or bolognese sauce.
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me onInstagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
They look awesome. Can these be freezed like Ikea meetballs and reheated before serving?
These look delicious. I love the addition of vegetables into them.
Thanks! They add flavour…and vitamins and nutrients!
This looks like such a delicious recipe. I will have to try making this on the weekend. I am sure my kids will love it. Meatballs is my daughters favorite.
Don’t all kids love meatballs?! 😉
These look delicious and I love the idea of adding broccoli rabe to them. Those little white lies about hidden veggies are absolutely okay!
I agree…I even have to tell them to my husband sometimes 😉
These look yummy and sound great – you’re right, I could not get the right consistency for meatballs so stopped making them and I always under-seasoned them – so loving this recipe 🙂
Thanks! The trick of frying a small portion before cooking all of it really works!
YUM! I would make this and then not tell my husband or kiddo what was in it. I bet they will love it. I am good at hiding things.
These look perfect. I’m not very good at making meatballs but always try. I love this recipe.
I hope some of the tricks I suggested make it easier for you to make them!
Ha! I’m glad he loved the meatballs. I white lie too w/the food. My youngest thinks his Kale/mango/applesauce is tasty. If he knew Kale was in it, he’d freak. 😉
I used to hide it from kids but now I tell them what’s in their smoothies…and they don’t seem to care! I mainly think it’s because they can’t actually see the pieces of veggies!
Love this! I will definitely have to give this a try, they looks delicious and such a cool idea to infuse broccoli in a meatball.
http://www.spice-up-your-life.net/
It’s a great way to incorporate some greens into your diet….I like to leave bigger chunks to add texture however, if you have a really picky eater you could even puree the broccoli rabe.
That looks so delicious. I am actually of making meatballs tonight. I will try your recipe.
I don’t eat meat. However, that looks like a delicious recipe, nonetheless!
Thanks….I’m not a meat eater but my husband is! My son has just started eating meat again (spordaically) but now my daughter isn’t keen on it! They will eat meatballs if they’re smothered in sauce though, lol!
I haven’t had veal in so long. I actually am not entirely sure I know how to cook it. This is a great recipe!
These sound super amazing. And They don’t seem that difficult to make either. These sound super amazing.
Thanks, and no they’re not!
Looks simply delicious recipe.. my daughter loves meatballs, Im gonna try to cook this today, thanks.
Omg these meatballs sounds amazing! This is one thing I don’t really have a recipe for so I might have to steal yours one night for dinner lol
Great! They’re really easy to make!
I’m not a nonna but my father taught me how to make my grandmother’s meatballs. So good. My kids love em!
Nice! Luck you…did she have a secret trick?
This looks so delicious. My Daughters favorite meal is meatballs. I will have to try this recipe this weekend.
If she loves meatballs then I think she will love these!
I love veal and what a great recipe! I love the combination of the ingredients! What a great entertaining dish this would be! I wish I could come through the computer and try some of these meatballs right now!
Thanks! It would be great as a party appetizer, served with some marinara sauce!
What a great recipe! I will try this for my baby. She is just starting to eat solids, so this recipe is just perfect!
It’s a perfect little finger food for babies!
These look really good. I haven’t tried broccoli rabe, but I’ve heard things about it. As long as it’s similar to actual broccoli, I’m sure I’d love it. Thanks for the recipe!
I love broccoli rabe! It’s so much more flavourful than broccoli and has a little bite to it.