Fried Greens Meatlessballs, a Delicious and Healthy Summer Snack

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Photo Courtesy of food52.com[/caption]

Summer is a fantastic time to visit the farmer's market and buy all fresh and in-season produce! When I go to the farmer's market, I will leave with armloads of delicious, fresh produce. Sometimes, I purchase more than I can use. To fix the problem of excess produce, I have taken to the internet in my search for recipes as to not let them go to waste. I stumbled upon a fantastic recipe from Food52, Fried Greens Meatlessballs. This recipe is great for using any leftover greens and turning them into a yummy snack or appetizer.

Serves 3 to 4 as an appetizer

• 1 bunch greens
• 3
 tablespoons olive oil or grapeseed oil
• 1
small yellow onion, diced
• salt, to taste
• 2
 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 
cup cilantro
• 1 
tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1
 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 
cup crumbled feta
• 1 or 2
eggs
• oil for frying

Pulse greens in a food processor or finely chop with a knife—they should be small but not puréed or mushy. Set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the oil, onion, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cilantro, and cumin seeds. Stir for 30 seconds. Add greens to pan and sauté for a 1-2 minutes, until they have wilted. Turn the mixture into a large bowl. Let cool for five minutes, then add the breadcrumbs and feta. Mix well, then taste for seasoning. Add more salt if necessary. Crack one egg into the bowl and mix. Squeeze a small ball of the mixture and if it holds together, begin portioning out the remaining mixture into small balls. If the balls do not hold together well, add another egg. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add balls to pan—they should sizzle when they hit the oil—then turn heat down to medium or medium-low. Cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Use a fork to flip the balls to the other side and cook for another 2 minutes or so. Serve immediately or at room temperature.