Gemelli with Zucchini Meatballs and Avocado Chimichurri
Don't let this recipe's length intimidate you. It's as simple to make as it is delicious. I like to make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time so their flavors develop even more. When I'm not in the mood for chimichurri sauce, I substitute my favorite salt-free marinara.
Servings 4
Daily Dozen 
Ingredients
ZUCCHINI MEATBALLS
- 1 (15-ounce) BPA-free can or Tetra Pak salt-free chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and blotted dry
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon white miso paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed dry
CHIMICHURRI SAUCE
- 2 ripe Hass avocados, peeled and pitted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon white miso paste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
PASTA
- 8 ounces whole-grain or bean-based gemelli or other pasta of choice
Instructions
FOR THE ZUCCHINI MEATBALLS:
- Combine the chickpeas, garlic, oats, nutritional yeast, flaxseeds, and chia seeds in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the lemon juice, miso paste, basil, oregano, onion powder, and black pepper. Pulse until thoroughly mixed. Transfer to a large bowl and add the shredded zucchini. Stir together until well combined. The mixture should hold together when pinched between two fingers. If the mixture is too wet, add a little nutritional yeast or ground flaxseeds to absorb excess moisture.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking pan with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the zucchini mixture at a time and use your hands to roll the mixture into balls. Arrange the zucchini balls on the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned.
FOR THE CHIMICHURRI SAUCE:
- In a food processor, combine all the chimichurri sauce ingredients plus ¼ cup of water and pulse to combine. Set aside.
FOR THE PASTA:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Add the chimichurri sauce and toss gently to combine. Divide the pasta into shallow serving bowls and top each portion with 2 or 3 zucchini meatballs.
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