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+ servings
A colorful pasta salad with turkey meatballs, tomatoes, chickpeas, spinach, and orzo pasta.
Adam Berkelmans

Warm Orzo Salad with Wild Turkey Meatballs

Ground turkey makes delicious meatballs which pair well with this tangy pasta salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 505

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 1 lb ground wild turkey breasts and legs
  • ¼ cup panko or other breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp milk or cream
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 green onion or small bunch of chives minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp lard or oil
  • Kosher salt
For the salad
  • ½ lb orzo pasta
  • Kosher salt
  • 5 oz baby spinach
  • 1 can chickpeas drained
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 handful cherry tomatoes halved
  • 4 oz feta crumbled
  • 1 lemon zest and juice
  • Black pepper

Method
 

  1. Mix the panko and milk/cream in a medium bowl. Allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the liquid. Add the ground wild turkey, mayonnaise, black pepper, green onion or chives, and the garlic and mix lightly.
  2. Wet your hands and shape the mixture into ping pong-sized meatballs, setting them aside on a plate while you make them. Put the meatballs in the fridge for 15 minutes to set.
  3. Heat the lard or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the meatballs with salt, then add them to the skillet and cook, flipping regularly, for about 10-15 minutes or until browned and cooked through the center. Set aside.
  4. Add the dry orzo to a dry pot or skillet over medium heat and toast, stirring very regularly, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  5. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a big pinch of salt, then add the toasted orzo. Cook for 6-8 minutes until tender. Drain, then set back over the warm burner and add the spinach, mixing it in over the residual heat so that it wilts.
  6. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the chickpeas, garlic, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and the zest and juice of one lemon.
  7. Toss and add salt and pepper to taste. Toss the cooked meatballs in and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 41gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 491mgPotassium: 807mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3981IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 237mgIron: 3mg

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