“It’s raining meatballs right out of the sky meatballs, no need to ask why, just open your mouth and close your eyes.” My son Ted found this song called “It’s raining tacos”. We are now adding the song to lots of different meals and even people in our lives too. The funniest one for me was when Ted started singing it’s raining Nana’s right out of the sky, just open your arms and give them a hug, it’s raining Nanas.
So while I’ve been writing this recipe I have been singing this song in my head. You know how a song gets stuck and now I can’t stop singing it. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I have been back in the kitchen experimenting this time with butternut squash. I decided to roast the butternut squash in the oven and make it into a sauce to serve with meatballs.
My husband Howard and Ted both enjoyed this dish. Normally I have to prompt Howard and Ted to let me know if the meal is good. On this occasion Howard informed me that he thought it was delicious. Therefore I know it was a good dinner as I didn’t need to ask. Sadly I didn’t get to sing “It’s Raining Meatballs” before, during or even after this meal. I was too busy enjoying the meatballs and sauce.
Equipment needed
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Baking Tray
- Teaspoon
- Tablespoon
- Large mixing bowl
- slow cooker
Ingredients for the meatball sauce
- Onion x 1
- Butternut squash x 1 large
- Carrots x 2
- Ginger x 1 in piece
- Turmeric x 2 centimetre piece
- Garlic cloves x 4
- Mild, medium or hot chilli powder x 1 tsp
- Oregano x 1 tsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bone Broth or chicken stock x 800mls
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C or gas mark 6.
- Cut the top and bottom from the butternut squash
- Peel it with the vegetable peeler.
- Now cut the squash in half then cut the end with the seeds in half again.
- Scoop out the seeds with the spoon and discard.
- Next cut the squash into 2 centimetre pieces.
- Now peel the carrots and cut length-ways then dice them.
- Peel the ginger and cut into small cubes.
- Next peel the turmeric and slice it.
- Put all these ingredients into the baking tray.
- Sprinkle over the mild, medium or hot chilli powder, oregano and salt and pepper.
- Put these into the baking tray and drizzle with oil.
- Now put this into the oven for 30 – 40 minutes or until soft and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
- Once the butternut squash has cooled, put it into the blender and add the stock or broth.
- Blend these ingredient together until smooth.
Ingredients for meatballs
- Beef x 500g
- Ground flax seed or breadcrumbs x 4 tbsps
- Tomato puree x 2 tbsps
- Tamari or soy sauce x 2 tbsps
- Dried mixed herbs x 1 tsp
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method for the meatballs
- Put the beef mince into the mixing bowl and add in the ground flax seed or breadcrumbs, tomato puree, tamari or soy sauce, dried mixed herbs and salt and pepper to your taste.
- Scrunch everything with your hands until all the ingredients are mixed together.
- When everything is mixed together, divide the mixture into four and then divide the quarter into fours or threes again.
- Put the meatballs onto a plate and put them into the fridge.
Method for the slow cooked meatballs and sauce
- Pour the sauce into the slow cooker and put the meatballs on top of the sauce.
- Turn the slow cooker on to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
- Cook your rice or side as per the packet instructions.
- 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time, chop the coriander.
- Remove the lid of the slow cooker and sprinkle over the chopped coriander.
- Stir it in carefully as the meatballs can fall apart easily.
- When all the coriander is stirred into the sauce, serve with the rice or side of your choice and vegetables.
- Then enjoy.
Slow Cooked Beef Meatballs in a Spicy Butternut Squash Sauce with rice was a big hit in our house. Howard and Ted both enjoyed this dish. I gave the leftovers to my mum. Mum is not a spice fan but she doesn’t mind a little bit of ginger or turmeric. Also I used mild chilli powder in the dish so it wasn’t hot. Plus since my dad passed away my mum doesn’t say no to free food. The tupperware box I sent her home with came back empty and there were no complaints. I would say the dinner was a big success and one we will be eating again. However you decide to eat this dish, as always, please enjoy. Thank you xxx
Googies Kitchen Life 