Groundhog day, which is celebrated on February 2nd every year, is the perfect time to serve “ground hog.” At our house, this has been a tradition for decades, and it’s always fun to come up with something new to serve my family. Since Groundhog day isn’t a bank holiday, and most of us have to go to work, it’s nice to make something that is simple and easy. Saucy Ground Hog Balls make a delicious entree either over rice, with pasta, or on freshly baked buns. They can also be served as is as an appetizer. Since these meatballs are baked ahead, then heated in the slow cooker with an easy blender sauce, they are very easy on the cook.

If you’re into planning ahead, the ground hog balls can be made ahead and frozen. They can then be put into the slow cooker frozen, the sauce poured over, and cooked; they thaw quickly, so not much more cooking time will be required. If you like a little heat, you can add some crushed red pepper to the sauce.

18 Servings

Ground Hog Balls:
3 pounds ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon pepper blend, or black pepper (such as Tone's six pepper blend)
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt

Sauce:
1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes, or 1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup dehydrated red and green peppers, or 1/2 each red and green pepper
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, blended
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mixed spice, or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon & 1/4 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix the ground hog ball ingredients well; scoop tablespoon-size balls onto a broiler pan.
3. Bake 15-20 minutes or until just cooked through.
4. Remove from the oven.
5. Transfer the balls to the crock of a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
6. Whizz the sauce ingredients; pour over the hog balls, and let cook 3-5 hours, or until bubbling hot.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 282 Calories from Fat 115
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 41% Protein 26% Carb. 33%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 13 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Cholesterol 75 mg
Sodium 683 mg
Total Carbohydrate 23 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugars 2 g
Protein 18 g

Vitamin A 12% Vitamin C 17% Calcium 0% Iron 8%