Zesty Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Vegetarian 'meat' balls use ground pecans and cornflake crumbs in place of meat. They have a savory taste that complements the yummy apricot sweet and sour sauce that goes with them.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 647 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup ground pecans
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes cereal
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup ketchup
• cooking spray
• 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
• Italian seasoning, or to taste
• 5 eggs, or more if needed
• 1 tablespoon minced onion, or to taste
• 1 (12 ounce) jar apricot jam
• 0.25 cup vegetable oil
• 0.25 cup grated onion
• 0.25 cup distilled white vinegar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch rectangular baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until browned and set, about 45 minutes.

Step 3

Mix together the vegetable oil, vinegar, ketchup, grated onion, apricot jam, and oregano together in a bowl until smooth; pour the sauce over the baked pecan balls, and return to oven until the sauce is bubbling, 5 to 10 more minutes.

Step 4

Mix the ground pecans, eggs, Colby-Jack cheese, minced onion, Italian seasoning, cornflake crumbs, and salt in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Add another egg if mixture isn't holding together. Shape the mixture into balls, and place into the prepared baking dish.