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Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs Recipe

Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 15 reviews

A comforting and flavorful recipe featuring tender pork meatballs infused with fresh apple and sage, perfectly paired with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and topped with crispy sage leaves for a delightful crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Sweet Potatoes

  • 3 Tbsp salted butter
  • 12 fresh sage leaves
  • 2 1/2 lb sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Meatballs

  • 1 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 grated Granny Smith apple
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh sage
  • 1 clove grated garlic
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  1. Crispy Sage: Heat 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a pan over medium heat. Fry the fresh sage leaves for about 1 minute or until they become crisp. Remove them carefully and set aside to drain and cool.
  2. Sweet Potatoes: In the same pan, add the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes along with 1 cup of water, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, heavy cream, and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Cover the pan and simmer for 20 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from heat and mash the potatoes with the butter and cream mixture. Season with black pepper to taste.
  3. Meatballs: While the sweet potatoes are cooking, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). In a large bowl, gently combine the ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, grated Granny Smith apple, chopped fresh sage, grated garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, allspice, and the egg. Mix just until combined to keep the meatballs tender.
  4. Bake: Form the mixture into 24 evenly sized meatballs. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet ensuring they are spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
  5. Broil: Turn the oven to broil and cook the meatballs for an additional 2 minutes to brown and crisp the tops, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  6. Serve: Plate a generous portion of the mashed sweet potatoes, top with the warm pork and apple meatballs, and garnish with the crispy sage leaves for an aromatic finish.

Notes

  • Ensure not to overmix the meatball ingredients to maintain a tender texture.
  • Use a food thermometer to check for doneness (160°F internal temperature).
  • Grating the apple adds moisture and natural sweetness to the meatballs.
  • Swapping sweet potatoes for regular potatoes can alter the flavor profile but is possible if needed.
  • Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork meatballs, apple, sage, sweet potatoes, baked meatballs, savory meatballs, easy dinner recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/pork-apple-and-sage-meatballs-recipe/