Ok so maybe you are one of those people who doesn’t like vegetables—except for mashed potatoes and green beans from a can. Don’t worry. I won’t judge you for it. As a teen, I didn’t really like too many vegetables either.
It took me some time to get used to the textures and taste of veggies, but after a while I grew to really enjoy them. In fact, I am eating a big, fat, raw carrot right now!
Maybe you aren’t in a place where you want to eat big, fat, raw carrots. I get that. If so, then I’ve got a recipe for you. And for all you veggies-lovers out there, I bet you’ll love it too.
Roasted Vegetable Meatloaf with Balsamic Glaze
Gluten free. Dairy free.
Adapted from Bobby Flay
Ingredients
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 large zucchini, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 yellow pepper, finely diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, divided
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 ½ pound ground turkey
1 cup oatmeal, coarsely chopped in food processor (for gluten free, use GF oats)
1 cup tomato sauce, divided
¼ cup natural ketchup*
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
**If you like extra sauce to pour on the meatloaf, see below
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the zucchini, peppers, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and sea salt and pepper, to taste, and cook until almost soft (about 5 minutes). Set aside to cool.
Whisk together eggs, thyme and parsley in a large bowl. Add the meat, oatmeal, tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and the cooled vegetables. and mix until just combined.
Mold the meatloaf into a loaf pan. Whisk together the remaining tomato sauce, ketchup, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Brush the mixture over the entire loaf. Bake the meatloaf for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
*Ketchup: find one without high fructose corn syrup. I like Annie’s brand or Whole Food’s 365 brand. If adhering to a strict, no-added sugar diet, sub tomato sauce for ketchup.
**For extra sauce to pour over your meatloaf, use an extra 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup and 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar.
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