Kale Balls

Once again, I went to the Farmer’s Market, and bought way too much food. This time it was not my fault. I went to the only stand that was selling kale, and I said I would take one bunch. For most, a bunch is enough for a batch of kale chips, or maybe sautéed with some garlic as a side dish. I did not get a bunch. Instead, I got an entire grocery bag filled to the top with kale, and I was only charged $1! Needless to say, we have been eating a lot of kale this week. Today, I had about one bunch left, and I thought, hmmmm, I need a new recipe for the Happy Heffer… Why not make some kale balls! So, here they are. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 c. of kale torn into ½ pieces, stems removed

3 cloves of garlic chopped

¼ c. chopped sweet onion

¼ c. feta crumbled

¼ c. freshly grated Parmesan

¼ to ½ c. Italian breadcrumbs

1 egg slightly beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Spray the inside of a microwave safe bowl with cooking oil. Set aside

2. Wash torn kale in a colander. With water remaining on the leaves, place the kale in the prepared microwave safe bowl, cover, and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes or until the kale has wilted. The water on the leaves will be enough to steam and wilt the kale. Remove from microwave, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.

3. In a large bowl, add the egg, garlic, onion, feta, and Parmesan and mix together. Add the cooled kale, and enough breadcrumbs to remove the moisture. The mixture should stick together when rolled in your hands. If it is too dry, add another egg. If it is too moist, add more breadcrumbs.

4. Roll the kale mixture into balls about the size of ping pong balls (1 ½ inches in diameter).  You should get between 10 and 12 balls depending on how you perceive the size of a ping pong ball.

5. Refrigerate for at least ½ hour. I placed mine on a piece of aluminum foil sprayed with cooking oil. This way I could simply transfer them to the baking sheet when it was time to bake. If you have a larger refrigerator, you can place the entire baking sheet with the balls on it and be ready to go!

6. Preheat the oven to 375, and remove the balls from the refrigerator.

7. Once oven is preheated, place balls on a greased baking sheet (if this step was not already completed in step 5) and place in oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until brown. You can eat them plain, or serve them with a dipping sauce such as ranch or warm marinara.