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THYME TURKEY MEATBALLS WITH MAPLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH

This thyme turkey meatballs with maple butternut squash recipe is a great staple to switch up your meatball routine. The turkey balls are very simple using only the thyme and garlic.  I serve the meatballs on top of a butternut squash puree that is lightly flavored with a teaspoon of maple syrup.  I cheat and use a sugar free syrup, but if you want to use the real deal (100% maple syrup) that is good too!  With everything, you need to practice moderation.  Just because you are using pure maple syrup doesn’t mean it’s a free-pour for all.  I get my sugar free version on amazon when the price drops and I use it on things like quinoa, and egg white/cinnamon scrambles.  A little goes a long way!

 

 

I use precooked frozen butternut squash puree that goes straight from freezer to saucepan and it warms up in about 10 minutes.  Be careful when buying frozen squash…I see a lot of brands out there that are flavored with brown sugar.  Stay away from those and get the plain squash with nothing else in the ingredients.  When you use just one box of squash it doesn’t make much, so it acts more as a dipping sauce for your meatballs.  If you want a substantial side out of it you may want to consider doubling the squash ingredients.  I don’t use frozen veggies often because my freezer is so tiny @ 3.5″h x 14″w x 11″d, so the small boxes are about all I can splurge on.  I am a fan of frozen veggies nutrition wise…they are flash frozen at their peak of ripeness when nutrients are at their prime.  If you are faced with a grocery store that has sad, wilted produce you should head over to the frozen section to take a peek.

If you are looking for other recipes to use some leftover fresh thyme, check out my Rosemary Pork Chops recipe. The herbed bean mash is amazing!

Thyme turkey meatballs with maple butternut squash puree and jasmine rice

Thyme Turkey Meatballs with Maple Butternut Squash

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

MEATBALLS INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 garlic cloves finely grated
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

BUTTERNUT SQUASH INGREDIENTS

  • 1 box (12 oof frozen cooked butternut squash puree
  • 1-3 drops of butter extract optional
  • 1 tsp 100% maple syrup or Walden Farms sugar free syrup
  • ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts for garnish optional

Instructions
 

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place the frozen squash into a small/medium saucepan over low heat and with lid. Stir often as this unthaws.
  • Prepare the meatballs by combining the turkey, thyme, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Form into 8 equal sized balls.
  • Heat a 10” skillet to medium/high heat and add 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil. Add meatballs to pan without overcrowding and rotate them often to brown on all sides, until cooked through, about 10 minutes total.
  • While the meatballs are cooking add the butter extract, maple syrup, nutmeg, and salt to the butternut squash mixing well. Serve with pine nuts on top.

Video

Keyword Maple Butternut Squash, Thyme Turkey Meatballs