Spinach Pancetta Balls: 28 Days of Super Bowl Recipes
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Recipe type: snack
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 10-12
 
Crispy pancetta, onion and spinach get a kick from red pepper in this snack.
Ingredients
  • 2 12-16 ounce bags of fresh spinach
  • 4-6 ounces of pancetta, cubed
  • 2 cups stuffing
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • ¼ cup vegetable stock
  • A few sprigs of fresh thyme, stems removed
  • 1 generous teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350º.
  2. Crisp up the pancetta in a frying pan while wilting the spinach in a dry pan.
  3. Once the pancetta and the spinach are done, drain and set aside to cool. With a sharp knife, roughly chop up the cooked spinach.
  4. Either by hand or in a food processor, mince the onion and the garlic together.
  5. Chop in the thyme, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
  6. In a large bowl, gently fold together the spinach, pancetta, beaten eggs, melted butter, vegetable stock and onion and cheese mixture until evenly combined.
  7. Break the stuffing into smaller pieces, but do not smash them entirely into bread crumbs.
  8. Fold in the stuffing.
  9. Form into generous teaspoon-sized balls and place on a lined baking pan. (I use my cookie scoop.)
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and crispy on the outside.
  11. Serve with either marinara or ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
Can be prepared ahead of time and frozen. Flash freeze on a baking sheet for 30 minutes and then put in a freezer safe container. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time.
Recipe by sarah sprague at https://sarahsprague.com/2012/01/27/spicy-spinach-pancetta-balls-28-days-of-super-bowl-recipes/