It’s National Meatball Day! Here in NYC there’s a celebration going on, Unlimited Meatballs — but there’s one big problem! For those observing Lent, you’re not supposed to eat meat on Fridays! So I decided to celebrate this years National Meatball Day with a delicious, sweet & spicy seafood meatball.
It seriously blew my mind. Fan-freakin-tastic! I’ve never had a seafood meatball before. What I have had is butter fish and also shrimp, separately, not chopped into pieces. I know both to be really tasty but together they’re a perfect match! The chopped water chestnuts added a little crunch to each bite, while the sweet & spicy glaze put this “meat”ball over the top.
There really is nothing that I would change at all, that’s a rare occasion! I hope that the next time I make these they come out as well.
I served them with a little stir-fried asian slaw, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, salt, sugar, dry mustard…you get the idea. 
Sweet & Spicy Asian Seafood Meatball
adapted from Art + Food + Life
Ingredients
1/2 lb uncooked shrimp, shelled, deveined & chopped
1 butter fish, filleted, skins removed, meat chopped
1/4 cup water chestnuts, chopped
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 scallion, greens & whites, roughly chopped
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon chili oil
2 teaspoons olive oil
for the glaze:
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
Preparation
In a large bowl mix together the shrimp, butter fish, water chestnuts, ginger, scallions, egg, sugar, salt, sesame oil, chili oil, olive oil and panko bread crumbs. Form the mixture into 8 golf ball sized meatballs.
Heat a teaspoon or two of oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Gently add the meatballs to the hot pan, spaced out as to not touch. Cook until lightly browned on all sides. Remove from the pan, place on a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
In the same pan mix together all glaze ingredients. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, until thickened slightly. Add the meatballs back to the pan, swirl to coat. Allow to heat for another minute or 2, until the sauce creates a nice glaze over the meatballs.
Serve over slaw, noodles or rice. Top with sesame seeds & sliced scallions if desired. Serve hot!
Mmmm, Asian meatballs. These look mouthwatering and sound incredible! What I wouldn’t do for a bite right now. =]
These meatballs are also blowing my mind away. I have this high liking for Asian food and you have done a fantastic job and love all the pics. They are certainly making me drool.
Lacy these look SO wonderful! I’d love to try these, wonderful attractive seafood “meat” balls. I really like the ingredients. Have an awesome week chica!
Never heard of a fish ball but it does look delicious. I love fish and would absolutely love to try this recipe some day soon.
Wow, this looks super-yummy! I would love to cook these meatballs for my family!
These look so moist and delicious!! The slaw looks great, too!
Holy meatballs, these look FABULOUS!
I can’t wait to eat all of these, I mean, try these!
This is a very creative idea for a Lent dinner. I cannot believe I missed Meatball day.
Fish or seafood “meatballs” work just fine. Great job with yours. Plated quite elegantly. Job well done.
I missed Oreo’s anniversary and now meatball day!!! Your fishballs sound incredible…especially with the Asian sauce. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Lacy!
I cant wait to try this. It would be great for Lent or any time. Gosh, the pictures look so spicy and good. I will bet the slaw made it crunchy. Thanks for sharing with us.
Lacey, these are beauties and the glaze looks killer in the photos I be they taste fantastic. Also going for the Asian slaw. Delicious.
I have had many a meatball, but never a fish ball. By the looks of these I do need to try them. It is rare that I have fresh seafood, but this recipe is in order when I do get my hands on some. Great dish for lent too! Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Tina! Have a good weekend!
Yummm, your Fish Balls look amazing.