No-Meat Meatballs (Brought to You by Quinoa)
Quinoa, a member of the amaranth family, is an annual crop cultivated mainly for its highly nutritious seeds, rich in protein, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals—more than you’ll find in most grains.
These raw quinoa “meatballs” are delicious, whatever your food preferences may be. They offer a smooth consistency, with an intense flavor given by the onion, garlic, coriander, and your chosen seasonings. We use turmeric, which, along with the carrot, provides a lovely color.
Recipe Author: Beautiful on Raw
Preparation Time: 30 min
Serves: 12 balls
- 1 cup of quinoa
- 1 small carrot
- 1 small purple onion
- 1 red chili, optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
It’s important first to soak and sprout the quinoa seeds to make them easier to digest. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly, soak it in water for 2 to 4 hours, then rinse it again before draining. Next, let the quinoa sit in a sprouting jar or a covered bowl for a day or two, rinsing it with water a few times a day till small sprouts start to appear.
Place the drained quinoa in a grinder (a simple mortar and pestle will do) and grind until it turns to thick paste. Then grate the carrot finely. Chop the onion and chili as small as possible. Put the vegetables and the ground quinoa in a bowl, and add the coriander, turmeric, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Knead until you get a dough that easily comes off your hands.
Shape these faux meatballs to your liking and serve them on a bed of lettuce. If you like, add a vinaigrette when serving.
Ingredients: quinoa, carrot, purple onion, chili powder, turmeric, garlic
Recipe Type: Main Course
