Bean Patties or Beanballs

Recipe: Bean Patties (or Beanballs)

Adapted From:  Down to Earth

Tested: 11/10/13

Servings:    6-8   Prep Time: 30-35 min

Notes: Here's a good weekend recipe. My little girl loves "burgers" and we've been reading a kids' magazine with a recipe for meatballs and everytime she sees it, she points to it and says "I want to make that." I've had this recipe for awhile now and finally got around to testing it. So thanks High Five magazine! I used a hand grater for the vegetables, but next time I might just use my blender. While I was frying the patties on the stove, I had a few baking in the toaster oven. They both turned out great and we served these with steamed green beans and mashed potatoes. And mayo for dipping.

Ingredients: 3 cups cooked beans (we used pinto and black) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 1 small zucchini, grated 2 small carrots, grated 3 tbsp cornmeal 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (we used spelt bread crumbs) salt to taste 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions: 1. In a large mixing bowl, mash the beans with a potato masher. 2. Heat olive oil in a pan and saute vegetables for 5-7 minutes, or until onions are soft. 3. Add onion/veg mixture to mashed beans, along with cornmeal and breadcrumbs. 4. Mix together and salt to taste. PATTIES: 1. Form into 1/4 inch thick patties. 2. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in pan over medium heat (I used the same pan that I used for the vegetables), and fry patties for 5-7 on each side. BEANBALLS: 1. Roll into 1-2 inch balls and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the outside feels dry.