harissa veal meatball fruit kabobs

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harissa veal meatball fruit kabobs

This recipe was the Midas Touch! It won me 25k! My feet still haven’t touched the ground! The reality of it hasn’t sunk in! The thrill of all of this amazing contest competition is exhilarating, and you run on steam that you never thought you had!  I created this recipe for the 2013 California Dole Cook-Off~~since I totally love global foods~~particularly, spices~~I decided to do something with Dole’s fabulous product, which was a requirement, of course, of the recipe, and combine it with the North African spice called Harissa!

Well, it all came together as a result of things that I had that day in my pantry and refrigerator~~keep in mind I’d dreamed about this recipe, swirling thoughts in my head, flavors coming together, and ingredients popping up in my mind, for weeks~~that’s how my brain works with the creation of new dishes! So, here it is just in time for the July 4th celebration~~Harissa Veal Meatball Fruit Kabobs with Greek Yogurt Mint Sauce & Crumbled Goat Cheese.
harissa veal meatball fruit kabobs

harissa veal meatball fruit kabobs

Harissa Veal Meatball~Fruit Kabobs with Greek Yogurt Mint Sauce & Goat Cheese

Yield: 5 kabobs

Ingredients

  • 1 can Dole Tropical Fruit (drained—liquid set aside for usage) (divided)
  • 1 lb. ground veal
  • 2 tsp harissa seasoning
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup Italian herb breadcrumbs
  • 1 ¼ tsp salt (divided)
  • 2 tsp pepper (divided)
  • 1/3 cup orange marmalade
  • 4 Tbl. fresh chopped mint
  • 4 oz crumbled goat cheese
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preparation:  Coat grill with cooking spray.  Turn on and heat to 500-600 degrees. You will need 5 (10”) wooden skewers. Drain the tropical fruit liquid.  Put liquid in a saucepan.  Put 25 pieces of well-shaped fruit on a plate to use for the skewers.  Finely crush & chop the remaining fruit that will be used in the sauce.
  3. Preparing Sauce:  Put the saucepan with the liquid over a medium high blaze.  Add the marmalade, 1 tsp pepper,  ¼ tsp of salt, and crushed/chopped fruit.  Bring to simmering boil and let thicken about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and let cool somewhat.  Add yogurt and 2 tbl mint and blend.
  5. Meatballs:  In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground veal, harissa, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, yogurt and breadcrumbs and blend.  Roll into 15 same size meatballs (about 2 to 2 ½ tbl per meatball—you can use a spring release scoop to get the approximate amount).  Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
  7. Preparing Kabobs:  Skewer one piece of fruit about 2” from the base of the stick.  Add a meatball.  Add two pieces of fruit. Add a meatball. Add two pieces of fruit.  Add a meatball.  Repeat this process with the remaining skewers (3 meatballs & 5 pieces of fruit/per kabob).  Put kabobs on the cookie sheet.
  9. Grilling Kabobs:  Place kabobs on hot (500-600 degrees) grill.  You will cook about 12-15 minutes rotating the kabobs about every 3 minutes to achieve grilling on all sides of the meatballs.  Close the lid between rotations. When done, remove skewers to a cookie sheet with clean parchment paper & let rest 5 minutes.
  11. Serving Kabobs: Serve with a drizzle (about a tablespoon) of sauce on the kabob and equal amounts of crumbled goat cheese and chopped mint garnish.  Put remaining sauce in bowl for serving.

Notes

Yes, you can substitute beef or lamb for the veal. You might try ground turkey or chicken, but I'm not sure about the moistness since these meats have less fat content.

Your sharing is GOLDEN! Thank you!

Your sharing and comments help me stay in business! Share a photo if you make the recipe #allyskitchen Thank you! xo Ally

© ally

harissa veal meatball fruit kabobs
 DOLE Harissa Veal Meatball~Fruit Kabobs with Greek Yogurt Mint Sauce & Goat Cheese

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22 Comments

    1. Thank you, dear Claudia! They are quite the hit around our ‘hood!! xo

    1. My sweet dear Lynnneeepooo! Thank you, luv! xo

  3. Suzanne Edwards says:

    Love this……..but wondering can you help me find another winning dole recipe from several years ago….don’t know where to look……making veal meatballs and also pineapple…..I have lost the recipe….thank you….Suzanne

    1. Hi, Suzanne! Thank you for swinging by and taking a gander at my winning recipe…I’m not sure of the recipe you’re speaking of. I’d post a question on Dole Packaged Foods’ FB page…they’re really good about answering and getting back w/you…if there are any problems, holler back at me! xo ~ally https://www.facebook.com/DolePackaged

  4. Looks like everybody had fun in that DOLE event! Your dish is more than deserving for the title, it looks amazing! ‘Will definitely give it a try.

    1. Wow! What a special comment…THANK YOU!!! So happy to have you swing by and sit a spell in the kitchen! Let me know how you like the kabobs! And, please come back often!! ***smiles*** ~~ally

  5. Ally, your way of combining flavors with ingredients on hand yield infinite mouth surprises. Super congratulations on putting it all together and walking away with the win. In boots! 🙂

    1. LOL!! Kimmmy! i actually two-stepped off the stage!! Thanks, honey bunch, this is so easy and flavorful…hey, if Mr. MOFW likes it, let me know!! xo

    1. Thank you, Helena, I really worked hard on this one, practiced and had my technique down to a fine science…it paid off!! hugs my angel!! ox ally

    1. Adam!! My luvvee! Thank you, and you know me forever as just me!! xo

    1. Didi!! Thank you, my special friend! It’s so wonderful to have luvs like you share in the excitement…I think my feet may be touching the ground now!! xo

  9. Merry Graham says:

    My my my ~ now that is something to stomp your cowgirl boots hard on the ground and let out a yeehaw cheer!!! So very happy for YOU!!! I’m a dancing with you! Congrats!

    1. Merry Merry! Get yer boots on cuz wesah gonna be stompin’ for you, too! Only wish you’d been there!! But, I know the campfire was calling!! xo

  10. WOWZA! Congratulations! You sure had a HOT day to cook and it obviously was not a problem for you!

    1. It was a scorcher, Laura! And, w/that hot Weber grill that got up to 800…omg!! Thank you so much for your kind words!! xo

  11. Elaine Barbee says:

    Way to go Ally!!!

    1. Elaine!! Thank you, beautiful, and for coming to chex out zee meatballs!! xo

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