Potato and Olive Stew

Ingredients

The meatballs:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 large zucchini, grated
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ½ teaspoon chopped fresh chili pepper or 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• ½ cup bulgur
• ⅓ cup milk
• ½ pound lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon ouzo or dry white wine
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt

The stew:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 pounds new potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 large onions, peeled, quartered lengthwise and thickly sliced
• 5 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh chili pepper or 1/2 teaspoon dried pepper flakes
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups chopped fresh or good-quality canned tomatoes
• 1 cup small black olives, rinsed and pitted
• 2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more to taste
• ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

    684 calories; 30 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 17 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 74 grams carbohydrates; 13 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams sugars; 28 grams protein; 92 milligrams cholesterol; 2638 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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Four servings

Preparation

1. To make meatballs, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add zucchini and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Add onions and chili and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in bulgur and milk. Let stand until wheat absorbs liquid and becomes soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the ground beef with the egg, garlic, mint, parsley and ouzo or wine. Stir in the zucchini and bulgur mixture. Add Parmesan and salt and mix well. Let stand at least 1 hour or prepare the night before.
3. Meanwhile, to make the stew, preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large, heavy and deep nonreactive skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 15 minutes. Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon.
4. Add onions and cook until transparent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, chili pepper, wine, oregano, tomatoes and olives. Cook for 1 minute. Place potatoes in a clay or glass baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Season with salt.
5. Pour sauce over the potatoes and bake, adding a little water if needed, until potatoes are tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Taste and season with added salt if needed. Set aside and keep warm.
6. Preheat broiler. Take a heaping tablespoon of the meatball mixture in your hand and shape into a ball. Place on a broiler pan and broil until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes, turning once. Place the meatballs over the stew, sprinkle with parsley and serve.