Preparation

• 

• Clean the wild fennel by selecting and cutting tops, leaves, and the tenderest part of the stem.
  Wash it thoroughly.

  Bring water to a boil in a pot.
  Add the wild fennel and blanch for 2-3 minutes.

  Transfer the blanched wild fennel into a colander and cool it under running water.
  Let it drain well.
  Wrap it in a kitchen towel and let it dry well for a couple of hours.

  When well dried, coarsely chop it with a knife.

  

• In a bowl, pour:
  • the coarsely chopped wild fennel [approx. 3.5 oz];
  • the minced meat;
  • whole wheat breadcrumbs [one 15 g measuring cup or 1 heaping tablespoon];
  • grated cheese [one 15 g measuring cup or 1 heaping tablespoon];
  • garlic [optional];
  • a pinch of salt;
  • a pinch of pepper;
  and mix the ingredients.

  Wrap a handful of pine nuts in a parchment paper sheet and, using a mortar or meat tenderizer and cutting board, crush them into coarse pieces.
  Add the crushed pine nuts to the other ingredients in the bowl and mix.

• Form balls with your hands, flatten them slightly [they will be crunchier] and arrange them on a plate, cutting board, or tray.

  To make the meatballs as equal as possible, I used two spoons.

  

• You can cook your fennel meatballs without eggs in the oven, air fryer, pan, and in sauce.

  ^{Note
  Since this is a preparation based on minced meat, it must always be well-cooked and not rare to avoid the risk of foodborne diseases from pathogenic microorganisms.
  On a steak, any contamination remains on the surface and is eliminated during cooking.
  That’s why you can eat a rare or slightly cooked steak.
  In minced meat preparations, contamination can spread inside.
  This is why when consuming hamburgers, meatballs, or other minced meat dishes, it is important that cooking is complete, and there are no pink or undercooked areas.}

  Bake
  • bake at 180° C (356° F) for 20 minutes in a fan oven.

  Air Fry
  • air fryer meatballs without eggs.

  Pan Fry
  • lightly coat the meatballs on all sides with extra virgin olive oil using a silicone brush, and cook in a non-stick pan for a few minutes on each side + a few minutes with the lid on off the heat.

  Cook in Sauce
  • sauced meatballs without eggs.

• Cooking times may vary depending on the shape and size of your meatballs.

• Your light meatballs with fennel without eggs are ready.

  Enjoy your meal!

• Serve plain or with homemade tomato sauce.

• • measuring spoon set;
  • meatball mold;
  • burger mold.