Makes: 12 servings | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground pork
  • 2 tbsp Italian Sausage Spice Blend (shown below)
  • 2 tsp butter
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely minced
  • 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup carrot, grated
  • 1/4 cup chestnuts, finely chopped (walnuts or pecans work too)

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425F.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the pork and Italian Sausage Spice Blend until the spices are well incorporated evenly throughout the meat.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, bacon fat, or coconut oil. Place the onions, celery, and carrots in the pan, and sauté until the onions and celery appear translucent. Add the chestnuts, and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 4

Set the onion, celery, carrot, and chestnut mixture aside to cool until you can touch it comfortably. Then, combine the mixture with the meat, and form the pork into 24 meatballs.

Step 5

Place the meatballs in an oven-safe dish or on a baking sheet, and bake approximately 25-30 minutes or until cooked all the way through.

Italian Sausage Spice Blend

  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp fennel seeds, ground
  • 1 tbsp ground sage
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley