Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs

By: Tanya Taylor, PhD | Mar 18, 2006

Although I'm not a vegetarian, I do use enjoy quite a few products which are meat substitutes in my diet. I don't eat beef, so I live for Boca Soy Burgers and Morningstar Farms Veggie Tomato and Basil Pizza Burger, but Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs was my first experience with a veggie meatball. The meatless balls come pre-cooked, so it is really just a matter of heating up the meatballs in your favorite sauce or gravy. There are directions on the package for how to cook the balls using a stove top, microwave and oven. And each direction repeats the fact that you should cook the meatballs with "your favorite sauce or gravy." There's a reason for this! Without cooking it in a sauce, the meatballs taste horrible! There is a strong "wheaty, soy, grassy" taste. DO NOT attempt to eat without thoroughly drenching in sauce, for about 10 minutes. Forget using the microwave too, because I find the sauce may not penetrate the meatballs like it needs to. Penetration is the key to not getting that awful taste.

My homemade sauce: Water, ketchup, salsa (my secret ingredient in everything) and a little hickory smoked barbecue sauce. Once you cook the meatballs in some sauce, it doesn't taste too bad. There is still a trace of that soy/grassy taste, but it is not overwhelming. It also helps to cut the meatballs in two straight through the center, so that the sauce will really penetrate. Remember - penetration of the sauce is the key to the success of this meal! I ended up eating all of my portion, but there was a little 'adjustment to the taste' period.

One serving is about 4 meatballs - which is more than adequate because the meatballs are quite thick. Each serving contributes 130 calories, 4.5 grams of total fat, 1 gram of which is saturated, 460 mg of sodium (19% of daily recommendations), 3 grams of fiber and 16 grams of protein. There's also 15-25% of your daily vitamin A, calcium and iron needs. Strict vegans should also note that these veggie meatballs mcontains egg whites.

There are about 12 meatballs in a container, which cost about $4.00. Overall, I would say that I think I could get used to this product. I liket he fact that it was very easy to prepare. I may buy this again, at least until I find a meatball substitute that tastes better - then it sianora!

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