Pita Sandwiches with Beet and Walnut Spread & Spiced Beef Meatballs

SLO Farmers Co-op No Comments
Pita Sandwiches with Beet and Walnut Spread & Spiced Beef Meatballs

Beet Spread

This beet and walnut spread turns a stunning magenta color. Use it as a dip for pita or cut raw veggies, or spread it on a sandwich. 

Serves: 6 people | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes due to cook time of beets

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup raw walnuts
  • 1 pound beets, tops removed
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
  • Salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Place beets in a large saucepan and fill with cold water to cover about an inch above the beets. If the beets are very large, you can cut them in half before boiling. Bring to a boil and sustain the boil for 20-50 minutes until beets are tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Drain the beets and run under cool water. Once they’re cool enough to handle, use your hands to rub off the skin. It should come off easily. Cut the cooked peeled beets into large chunks.
  3. In a food processor, pulse the walnuts until coarsely chopped.
  4. Add the beets and pulse until a rough paste forms.
  5. Add the olive oil, water, tahini, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Pulse until just combined.

 

Spiced Beef Meatballs

Warming spices like cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg add so much flavor to these beef meatballs. They would be excellent served with saffron-scented rice, or assembled in a pita along with beet and walnut spread and other toppings. They’re also a great quick snack to munch on!

Makes about 20 meatballs | Cook time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • Olive oil

DIRECTIONS

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
  2. Shape the mixture into 20 evenly sized meatballs. This is approximately one heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture.
  3. Pour olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs. Flip the meatballs once the bottom side is browned. Continue cooking and turning frequently until the meatballs are browned on all sides and thoroughly cooked.

 

Assemble the pita sandwiches

The list below is simply a flavorful suggestion. Feel free to get creative with which toppings you add to your pita! 

Makes 6 to 8 sandwich halves

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 or 4 pita breads, cut in half
  • Beet and walnut spread
  • Spiced meatballs
  • Dill pickle slices
  • Yogurt (you may thin it with either water or lemon juice to create a sauce)
  • Feta cheese
  • Fresh dill

DIRECTIONS

  1. Gently work the halved pita open so it forms a pocket.
  2. Slather the inside of the pita with beet and walnut spread.
  3. Stuff a layer of lettuce into the bottom of the pita.
  4. Arrange pickle slices on top of the beet and walnut spread.
  5. Place about 2-3 meatballs into each half of the pita.
  6. Drizzle with yogurt.
  7. Top with feta cheese and dill.
  8. Enjoy!