What makes this the best turkey meatball recipe? It's not just delicious, it's healthier than traditional meatballs, too! Turkey meatballs are baked instead of fried to make them lower in fat. Prune purée amps up the flavor, moisture and nutritional profile of this recipe.
Prepared pasta sauce and cooked spaghettioptional or Cajun Prune Barbecue Sauce (optional)
For the Cajun Prune BBQ Sauce
1 1/2cupsCalifornia Prune juice
1cupstrong brewed coffee
1cuptomato sauce
1/2cupcorn or olive oil
1/2cupfinely chopped California Prunes
1/2cupWorcestershire sauce
1/2cuppacked light brown sugar
1/3cupcider vinegar
1TBSPlemon juice
1TBSPpaprika
2clovesgarlicfinely chopped
2tspdried rosemary
1 to 1 1/2tspground red pepper
1tspdried basil
1tspdried oregano
1tsppepper
1tspsalt
2bay leaves
Instructions
For the Meatballs
Heat oven to 350°F (180C) . Lightly coat baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Form mixture into 20 (1 1/2-inch / 4 cm) meatballs. (For best flavor and appearance, form and cook meatballs immediately after mixing meat mixture.) Place meatballs on baking sheet; bake 18 to 22 minutes to medium (160°F or 70C) doneness, until no longer pink in centers and juices show no pink color.
Serve Plum Good Turkey Meatballs as a main dish with your favorite pasta sauce and spaghetti or as an appetizer with Cajun Prune Barbecue Sauce for dipping.
For Prune Purée
In a food processor container, combine 2/3 cup (4 ounces) pitted prunes and 3 tablespoons water; process on and off until finely chopped.
For the Cajun Prune BBQ Sauce
In heavy medium saucepan, mix, then heat all ingredients over medium-high heat until hot.
Reduce heat; simmer 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
Remove bay leaves.
Cool, then store, covered, in refrigerator up to 1 month.
Use as a baste or dipping sauce for barbecued or grilled pork, beef and poultry.
Notes
Use leftover Cajun Prune BBQ Sauce on meats, sandwiches and even pizzas!