Turkey Meatballs for Toddlers

Prepare the Veggies
2 Place the vegetables (zucchini, carrot, bell pepper, onion and garlic) in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Make sure not to puree them; you want them to be finely chopped but not mushy. If you don't have a food processor try to finely chop the veggies with a knife.
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
4 In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, egg, the processed vegetables, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.
5 Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Ensure that the veggies are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Form the Meatballs
7 Take small amounts of  the mixture (about 1 tablespoon) and roll it into balls. The size can vary depending on your preference, but for toddlers, smaller meatballs are generally easier to handle.
Cook the Meatballs
9 Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Cook the meatballs for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and cooked through. You can gently shake the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Bake Meatballs (Alternative Cooking Method)
11 Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil. Place the formed meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
12 Read blog post above for more details on ingredients variations and substitutes, recipe tips for success and how to store and reheat the meatballs.