Appetizers

Turkey, Quinoa & Zucchini Meatball Skewers {Caprese Party App}

Party pleasing, caprese turkey meatball skewers — easy, healthy, hearty, big on flavor, protein-packed, and sure to be a real crowd-pleaser.  

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday…that’s right this Sunday is the biggest game day of the year, Super Bowl Sunday. And whether you’re watching the game at home with your family or heading to a Super bowl party, finger food snacks are a game day requirement.

So you’re thinking heavy apps. It has to be hearty enough to feed the men, but healthy enough to offset the loads of nacho cheese that you may be dipping into. 

Enter the party pleasing, caprese, turkey meatball skewer. but this is not your average turkey meatball. no, it’s stuffed with quinoa, zucchini, onions, garlic and fresh basil for a healthy, protein-packed meatball that’s big on flavor. But you don’t even have to mention the quinoa or zucchini; it’s amazing what your friends, family, kids, and husbands will eat when it’s packed into meatball form. 

And did I mention you can whip up 20 of these skewers in less than 30 minutes?

Simply chop or grate the veggies and then combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Roll the turkey mixture into medium-sized meatballs, bake, assemble your skewers, and viola you have a fancy-looking app that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Added bonus, this recipe is super versatile and goes far beyond the skewers you see pictured here.

Seeing as my husband and I couldn’t take down 20 some meatball skewers on our own, I deconstructed the leftovers and made a little sautéed caprese salad {aka deconstructed turkey lasagna} for dinner last night and it was fabulous. Simply sauté some fresh spinach, basil, and the cherry tomatoes in a pan with olive oil. While that heats up, chop or break apart the turkey meatballs into smaller pieces. Then when the veggies are almost sautéed to your liking, toss in the turkey meatball pieces and warm it all together. You can top with melted mozzarella or parmesan cheese too.

To take it one step further, you can serve the turkey, quinoa & zucchini meatballs over spiraled, and roasted, zucchini noodles with tomato sauce for a spaghetti dinner. Or you can even turn these meatballs into turkey burgers. 

So now that we got the food squared away for Sunday’s big game, I’m curious; who’s everyone routing for? Carolina Panthers or Denver Broncos? Comment below with your winning pick!

turkey, quinoa & zucchini meatball skewers

author: lindsey, nourish move love
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 20 minutes
servings: approx. 20 meatball skewers

 

turkey, quinoa & zucchini meatball ingredients: 

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 c cooked quinoa
• 1/2 red onion, chopped finely or grated
• 1/2 large zucchini or 1 small zucchini, chopped finely or grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cage-free, organic egg
• 2 tsp ground oregano
• 5-10 fresh basil leaves, chopped finely
• black pepper and sea salt to taste

skewer ingredients:

• 1 package cherry tomatoes {approx. 20 cherry tomatoes}
• 20 small to medium, mozzarella cheese balls
• 10-20 fresh basil leaves {small leaves or halved larger leaves}
• 20 mini-skewer sticks

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Finely chop all veggies — red onion, zucchini, basil leaves.
3. In a large bowl combine ground turkey, cooked quinoa, chopped veggies, basil, garlic, oregano, pepper, salt, and egg; mix well.
4. Form turkey mixture into medium-sized meatballs by rolling mixture between the palms of your hands.
5. Place meatballs on lined baking sheet.
6. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until the meatballs start to slightly brown and are firm to the touch.
7. While the meatballs are cooking, start assembling your skewers — cherry tomato, mozzarella ball, basil leaf.
8. Remove the meatballs from the oven, let cool, and then finish the skewers by adding the final item, turkey meatball.
9. Serve as a caprese party appetizer. May serve warm or cold, but I recommend serving the meatballs warm.

*this recipe makes approximately 20 meatballs skewers.
**may also make turkey, quinoa & zucchini meatballs separately to serve over spiraled zucchini noodles with tomato sauce.
***this recipe also makes for a great, fresh turkey burger recipe. 

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