Greek Meatball Kebabs

The Greeks would fry these meatballs, but grilling also adds significant flavor and less fat. However, grilling meatballs requires special techniques. Wide skewers are recommended. Meatball preparation, skewing, and cooking also have some special requirements. For those unprepared to accept the challenge form patties and grilling like a hamburger is suggested. Serving with a Greek salad is also suggested.

1 pound ground lamb or beef

1/2 pound ground pork

1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup fresh mint, chopped

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

1/2 large onion, grated, squeeze out excess juice

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and thoroughly mix. Refrigerate 1 hour or more. Prepare the Tzatziki (recipe follows) and refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove the meat mixture and form into 9 or 10 elongated meatballs (approximately 3 1/2 to 4 by 2 inches in size). Skewer the meatballs through their long dimensions and lightly squeeze them so they are firmly attached to the skewer.

Prepare the grill for hot direct cooking. Place two bricks on the cooking grate so they will support the skewers by their ends.

Place the skewered meatballs on the bricks and cook for 3 minutes, lid closed. Continue cooking and turning every 3 minutes until done (approximately 15 to 18 minutes). If the meatballs are cooked longer without turning they will split in half and fall off of the skewers. Cooking one side too done while leaving the other side less done causes the two sides to separate when turned. Note that the skewers are flat and 1/2 inch wide. They were procured in Turkey and specifically designed for ground meat kebabs.

Tzatziki

1 medium cucumber, peeled and seeded

1 cup yogurt

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon dried dill weed

2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

Finely grate the cucumber and combine with the remaining ingredients. Stir to thoroughly mix and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Stir to mix again before serving.