Try this raw asparagus salad with meatballs this spring season. Fresh mixed salad greens, raw green asparagus, sweet potato, sweet peaches and juicy meatballs make a nutritious, delicious and colourful meal. Quick, easy and healthy.
Just like every spring, also this year is asparagus season. Wink. I love asparagus, no matter what colour, either green white or white-purple. Did you know that green and white asparagus are the same thing? The reason they look different is because of the way how they are grown.
While the green asparagus grows above the soil, the white asparagus is completely covered with soil. In other words, green asparagus is exposed to the sunlight, while the white ones grow completely in the absence of light. Consequently, they stay white and “untanned”.
Raw asparagus
How do you like to prepare your asparagus? They are very versatile. In fact, they can be steamed, cooked or roasted. Since they have a tough texture, “cooking” is the most popular way how to prepare them. One of my favourite asparagus recipes (until now) is this delicious summerish strawberry asparagus salad. Yummy! But, have you ever tried them raw? These long spear-shaped vegetables are wonderful spring vegetables that can be thinly sliced and enjoyed raw, as well. I can’t believe that I waited so long to try them raw.
Raw asparagus taste de-li-cious. I think you can really taste them. The real flavour. Do you know what I mean? He he. And, they are crunchy and healthy. Because they are packed with nutrients but low in calories, they are a great addition to your diet. PS: I also read somewhere they are an excellent hangover remedy. Wink.
Furthermore, just like always, I added a fruity component also this time. It was peach time. Peaches are wonderful. Not only they bring sweetness to the dish but they bring some colour to your table, too. Also, you can use either yellow or white peaches, nectarines or flat peaches. They are all sweet, fruity and juicy.
Don’t miss these lovely recipes with a fruity addition: peppery raspberry arugula salad, a lovely spring arugula blueberry salad, an excellent watermelon salmon ceviche or these American pancakes.
Last but not least, meatballs aren’t just meatballs. They are an add-on to the salad, which bring more texture, more flavour. In fact, I made them with tomato paste. Yes. With the addition of tomato paste, you’ll get juicier meatballs with a slightly sweet touch. Tomato paste is basically tomatoes, that have been cooked for hours until reduced to a concentrated paste. It is mostly used to enrich the flavour and colour of tomato sauces, but also soups and stews.
Ingredients for two portions of raw asparagus salad with meatballs:
- 250 g ground beef
- 1 shallot (chopped)
- a pinch of salt
- 1-2 Tbsp of tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp of grated mozzarella
- 5-7 green asparagus
- 2-3 handfuls of mixed salad greens
- about 7 slices of sweet potato
- 1 peach (cut into wedges)
- half a lemon
- vinegar
- olive oil
To begin, prepare the tomato meatballs. In a medium bowl combine meat, chopped shallot, salt, tomato paste and grated cheese. Mix the ingredients by simply squeezing the meat between your fingers until well combined.
Then, divide the meat into eight pieces and form smaller meatballs. Put them back in the bowl and keep them aside until ready to use (keep in the fridge during hotter days).
Furthermore, wash the salad greens and let them drain. In the meantime, peel a piece of sweet potato and cut it into slices (keep the remaining potato for a stew, soup or salad). In a small pan, simmer some water and quickly blanch the potato slices in it. After a couple of minutes, remove them from the pan and set them aside.
At this point, take the meatballs and heat some olive oil in a non-sticking frying pan. Once it gets hot, add the meatballs to it and brown them on all sides.
At the same time, trim the wooden ends of the asparagus off and slice the stalks lengthwise as thinly as possible (between 1-2 mm). Also, in a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil and season to taste with salt.
Combine the salad, asparagus, sweet potato slices in a salad bowl, drizzle with the dressing and toss gently. Wash the peach and cut it into wedges.
Finally, nicely arrange the salad onto the plates, add the peach and top with meatballs. Easy and quick to prepare makes this asparagus salad with meatballs a wonderful meal for the spring and summer season.
Enjoy!
