Pezedes

Dive into the comforting, aromatic world of Mediterranean flavors with Pezedes, a traditional spiced meatball recipe that’s a feast for the senses. This dish features a flavorful blend of ground beef and lamb, seasoned with warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, and brightened with fresh parsley. The tender meatballs are simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and a hint of sweetness from sugar, creating the perfect balance of savory and zesty flavors. Easily customizable, Pezedes can be served alongside crusty bread, fluffy rice, or your favorite pasta, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option. Ready in just an hour, this recipe is ideal for family dinners or special gatherings and is sure to become a go-to favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef
• 250 g ground lamb
• 100 g breadcrumbs
• 120 ml milk
• 1 piece large egg
• 1 piece small onion, finely chopped
• 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 240 ml water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly using your hands until well combined.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball, and set them aside on a plate.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and oregano. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 6

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them gently into the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce over low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread, rice, or pasta.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1840.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2807.0

Total Fat 180.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 769.0mg	0%
Sodium 8290.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 134.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.7g	0%
Total Sugars 42.2g
Protein 179.4g	0%

Vitamin D 105.5IU	0%
Calcium 590.0mg	0%
Iron 26.5mg	0%
Potassium 4288.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.3%

Protein: 24.9%

Carbs: 18.7%