Red Currant-Glazed Ham Meatballs W/Dried Cherries

Submitted by Wildflour

"I LOVE these, been making them for about 15 years now. A nice change from regular meatballs. Everyone really likes them. I usually serve these as an appy or even a side dish for parties, but I wouldn't see why it couldn't be made as a main dish, too! :)"

 

• Ready In: 38mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 24 meatballs

ingredients

• 1 beaten egg
• 1 slice bread, torn into tiny pieces
• 1⁄3 cup snipped dried tart cherry
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped green onion
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 lb fully cooked ground ham
• 1⁄2 lb lean ground beef
• 2⁄3 cup red currant jelly
• 1 -2 tablespoon mustard

directions

1. In bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.
2. Add next 2 ingredients and mix with hands.
3. Shape into 1" balls.
4. Bake in 13x9 pan and bake at 350º for 18-20 minutes.
5. In small saucepan, melt jelly and mustard.
6. Place meatballs into dish, pour sauce over, stir lightly to coat.
7. Toothpick if desired for appetizers.
8. Serve hot.

Reviews

[noway]

Delicious! I loved the tartness of the cherries and the mustard currant sauce was a nice complement! Have 1/2 ham and 1/2 beef made these less salty than when I make hamballs out of 100% ground ham and I will use this mixture from now on instead. I used 1/3 c panko instead of a slice of bread, and it held together nicely. I used dijon mustard like a previous reviewer and agree that I would prefer that to yellow mustard. Thanks for posting!

 

[SarasotaCook]

As is ... Great twist on meatballs. I had a friend stop over Sat night at midnight. Driving through town to the keys and wanted to go out and grab a bite, instead ... I had all this on hand. The cherries I even had. Some from a Christmas recipe and ham and beef in the fridge, so this was great. And for those who don't use currant jelly. It is great. I use it all the time for glazes of beef, poultry and pork. It is wonderful. My only change. I soaked the bread in milk and squeezed. I think the wet bread crumbs gives a bit of moisture. I make all my meatballs that way. Three notes ... I used a large egg. I think a jumbo may be too much; I used the whites and greens of the onions; and last I used dijon, I don't think yellow would work well. I just baked as directed and tossed in the sauce. I served some grilled baguettes on the side and some cheese and crackers for my friend. He was happy. Better than expensive late night take out food. Thx for a great different recipe.

 

[Charmie777]

These were really good. I love the sweetness with the ham!!! I also ground up some ham in my mini-processor. I doubled the recipe for my big family, and served with noodles and red cabbage!

 

[Jill Johnston]

My son (14yo) made this for his contribution to our Easter dinner. He used dried cranberries instead of the cherries and dijon mustard. I couldn't find ground ham at the grocery store so got a chunk of deli ham and put it through the food processot We all raved over this one.