National Meatball Day | Teriyaki Quinoa “Meatballs” for #SundaySupper

First, I rarely make meatless meals. Everything usually comes with beef or more often, chicken. Since I’m part Cuban, you can imagine that I love me some pork also. This Sunday Supper meatless theme almost threw me for a loop. Today is both National Meatball Day and National Crabmeat Day. “Meat” is in both of these! I thought I wouldn’t be able to participate, but then I thought a little harder. Who says I can’t make meatless meatballs? Nobody, that’s who. The Teriyaki Quinoa “Meatballs” that I’m featuring today will do just fine.

I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Donatella Arpaia yesterday, a chef known for her meatballs. While they are most definitely not meatless, being in her presence made me excited all over again for my quinoa meatballs. As an Italian, meatballs are a way of life. At each Sunday pasta dinner at my grandfather’s house you can find a very large pot of homemade sauce with homemade meatballs, Italian sausage and hardboiled eggs. He makes those meatballs small enough to where we all play go fish with the spoon to find them. After dinner, while we all rest up in the living room before dessert, I’ve been known to sneak away to make an open-faced meatball sandwich topped with freshly grated Pecorino Romano.

Needless to say, the quinoa meatballs are totally different than what I’m used to, but the sentiments behind the meatball remain the same. Any mention of meatball, any at all, and I’m instantly transported to pasta dinner at the Buggica house where we all form a line around the kitchen island and yell at the person at the front to hurry and find their toppings so we can get on with dinner, followed by loving ridicule of the chef (my grandfather). It’s how the Italians define family fun. 🙂

This is also only my second time eating quinoa. Can you believe that?? I’ve never cooked it before, and I don’t tend to order it when I’m out and see it on a menu. I was happy to be able to form a meatball that didn’t completely fall apart, and absorbed the teriyaki glaze very well! These are perfect with a meal, as an appetizer, or even as a snack.

Also today: National Crabmeat Day

Tomorrow: National Blueberry Popover Day

Now, check out the other Sunday Supper participants and what they are cooking up below!

Salads, Soups, Stews and Starters

• Spicy Vegan Potato Salad by Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Veggie Salad Trio with Zucchini Noodles and Pesto by Hip Foodie Mom
• Olive Tapenade by MealDiva
• Chickpea Chile Soup with Greens and Grains by Shockingly Delicious
• Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Potato Chickpea Stew by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• “Beef” Stew with Potato Cake Tops by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

“Meat”balls

• Teriyaki Quinoa “Meatballs” by The Foodie Patootie
• Black Bean “Meatballs” with Marinara by Foxes Love Lemons
• Spicy Vegetarian Meatballs by Mess Makes Food

Pastas, Pizzas and Casseroles

• Zucchini and Mushroom Skillet Lasagna by Curious Cuisiniere
• Four Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells by Melanie Makes
• Spicy Penne with Tomatoes and Havarti by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Cheesy Tomato Casserole by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Deconstructed Vegan “Lasagna” by What Smells So Good?
• Ramen Stir Fry by Ninja Baking
• Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Broccolini Macaroni and Cheese by Family Foodie
• Sundried Tomato and Zucchini Pizza with Goat Cheese by Healthy. Delicious.
• Creamy Parmesan Mushroom and Leek Pasta by Neighborfood
• Roasted Veggie Manicotti by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Pasta Patate by Webicurean
• Spaghetti and Chickpeas and Roasted Tomato Sauce by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Broccoli, Mushroom, and Rice Casserole by Momma’s Meals
• Radicchio and Gorgonzola Tortelloni with Butter and Walnuts by Manu’s Menu

Burgers

• Quinoa Black Bean Burger with Ginger Cilantro & Turmeric by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Garbanzo and Brown Rice Burgers by girlichef
• Tofu Burgers by Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Tacos & Everything Wrapped

• Blackened Tofu Tacos with Asian Slaw by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Mushroom & Poblano Tacos by La Cocina de Leslie
• Green Chile Enchiladas by Cookin’ Mimi
• Beet and Goat Cheese Tacos with Avocado Cream by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Black Bean and Avocado Flautas by Supper for a Steal
• Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos by Alida’s Kitchen

Other Main and Side Dishes

• Vegan, Gluten Free Breakfast Bars by Pies and Plots
• Mushroom and Lentil Cottage Pie by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Mediterranean Tomato Tart by Magnolia Days
• Lentil Stuffed Peppers by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Fontina Polenta with Sauteed Porcini Mushrooms by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Leek and Zucchini Tarte Tatin by Food Lust People Love
• Tofu and Peas Curry (Tofu Matar) by Soni’s Food

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.