
Ingredients
- 1 courgette, coarsely grated
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed or grated
- 1 lemon, zest finely grated, juice reserved
- 1 heaped tsp fennel seeds, lightly ground using a pestle and mortar
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes, plus extra to taste
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 1 medium egg, lightly beaten
- 4 tbsp rolled oats, finely chopped in a blender (check for gluten-free)
- 500g turkey thigh mince (6% fat)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (690g) jar passata
- 1 cauliflower, broken into florets
- 1 (25g) pack flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Method
Step 1
Press the grated courgette in a sieve to remove excess moisture. Place in a large mixing bowl with the garlic, lemon zest, fennel, chilli flakes, thyme, egg, oats, ½ tsp salt and lots of black pepper; mix well.Step 2
Mix in the turkey mince until combined; chill for at least 10 mins to firm up. Shape into 20 evenly sized meatballs.Step 3
In a large pan, fry the meatballs in the oil over a high heat for 6-8 mins, turning, until browned all over. Add the passata with 150ml water; simmer over a lower heat for 15 mins or until cooked through.Step 4
For the cauli rice, blitz the cauli florets in a food processor to rice-like grains. Heat 2 tbsp water in a large pan, add the blitzed cauli with seasoning; cover and steam for 3-4 mins, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir through half the parsley and a good squeeze of lemon juice. Season to taste.Step 5
Serve the cauli rice with the meatballs, scattered with the remaining parsley.