Dominican Beef and Pumpkin Meatballs in Creole Tomato Sauce with Cilantro Yuca Mash

Instructions

1. 1

   1. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, grated pumpkin, breadcrumbs, egg, 4 finely chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until evenly combined. Shape into 16 meatballs of equal size.

2. 2

   2. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs for 6 to 8 minutes, turning so they color on several sides. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove and set aside.

3. 3

   3. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Sauté the red onion and sweet peppers for 4 minutes until softened. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring to deepen the flavor.

4. 4

   4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 240 ml (1 cup) water, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Once the sauce comes to a gentle simmer, return the meatballs to the skillet.

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   5. Cover partially and cook the meatballs in the sauce over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, until fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly. If checking with a thermometer, the center of the meatballs should reach 160°F/71°C.

6. 6

   6. Meanwhile, place the yuca in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender. Drain well and remove any remaining fibrous core.

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   7. Return the hot yuca to the pot. Add the butter, hot milk, the remaining 2 garlic cloves finely mashed, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. Mash until smooth but still slightly rustic. Adjust salt to taste.

8. 8

   8. If you prefer a more baked finish, transfer the meatballs and sauce to an oven-safe dish and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F/190°C before serving; this step is optional and does not change the total time if done while the mash rests.

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   9. Serve a base of cilantro yuca mash on each plate and top with 4 meatballs and plenty of creole tomato sauce. Finish with a little more fresh cilantro if desired.