At first glance, this looks like your standard plate of spaghetti and meatballs. However, let me introduce you to Veggie Balls! Before you meat-eaters click away, thinking this sounds like some crazy vegetarian experiment, let me assure you that these are one of my favorite things to come from my kitchen in the last few weeks!

One Year Ago: POM Banana Blueberry Popsicles
Two Years Ago: Chocolate Marshmallow Bars, Caramel Apple Dip, and Tortilla Pinwheels

Eggplant and Mushroom Veggieballs
from Sauce Magazine
*makes approximately 30 veggieballs

Ingredients:
-1 whole eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
-8 oz. button mushrooms, sliced (mine came in a 10 oz. package, so I used that)
-8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced (mine came in a 10 oz. package, so I used that)
-1 medium onion, quartered
-1/2 cup olive oil
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1/2 tsp sea salt
-1/4 tsp freshly ground white pepper (I used black pepper)
-cooking spray
-1 egg, gently whisked
-1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. In a large plastic bag, combine the first 8 ingredients (eggplant through pepper) and shake to evenly coat vegetables.
2. Coat a large glass baking dish (you may need to use two) with cooking spray. Spread the vegetables in an even layer on the dish(es) and bake, uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Remove vegetables from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Stir the egg and panko into the vegetable mixture. Transfer the mixture in small batches to a food processor fitted with the chopping blade.
4. Pulse batches until minced, but not pureed (mixture will be very wet).
5. Form the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet or glass dish coated with cooking spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand for  5 minutes before serving. Serve over spaghetti noodles and easy red sauce (recipe below).

Easy Red Sauce
from Sauce Magazine

Ingredients:
-1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
-1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
-1 tbsp sugar
-1/4 tsp salt
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients. Heat over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly and mixture is hot (approximately 5-10 minutes).