Beef Meatballs with Roasted Garlic Scapes and Mashed Potatoes
I was lucky enough to be gifted another produce box from MilkRun with an add-on of ground beef from The Little Seven Seven Ranch. Almost immediately I knew I wanted to make meatballs because of the fresh potatoes and garlic scapes that came in the box too. I’m using the word “incredible” purposefully and with full intent when I’m describing the flavor from the beef. Let me use it again: it’s incredible!
If you’ve never had garlic scapes before, use them like skinny asparagus. They do have garlic flavor throughout but especially in the bulb. We might take potatoes for granted because they are plentiful in grocery stores these days, but fresh from the farm, you’ll taste a wonderful difference.
Beef Meatballs with Roasted Garlic Scapes and Mashed Potatoes
About 3-4 servings
Meatballs (about 15):
1 lb. ground beef
1 egg
¼ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp smoked paprika
10-15 garlic scapes
1 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp salt
Mashed Potatoes:
4-6 golden potatoes
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP heavy cream
1-2 teaspoons white pepper
Salt to taste
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper to serve
1. Preheat the oven to 425F. In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs. Form into 1 inch balls. Cut the bottoms of the garlic scapes and coat in olive and salt. Line a baking sheet and put the meatballs on one side and the garlic scapes (they can overlap) on the other. Roast for 15-20 minutes when the meatballs are golden brown.
2. While the meatballs and garlic scapes are in the oven, peel the potatoes and chop them into small pieces, about ½ inch. The smaller the pieces, the faster they’ll cook. Add the potatoes into a pot and fill with water to about 1 inch above the pieces. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.
3. Turn off the heat and carefully drain the potatoes (they will break apart). Add the butter, heavy cream, white pepper, and salt to taste. Mash everything together until smooth. Serve with the mashed potatoes on the bottom, the meatballs on top, and the garlic scapes to the side. Crack fresh black pepper on top.
