Meatballs for Easter? Why not?

LITTLE ROCK — Rick Rodgers, author of I

Love Meatballs, has put together a lovely recipe collection that is helpful for the home cook in the current climate of meatball madness. You can find restaurants across the country paying homage to the peasant meatball.

This book includes the classic Italian-American meatball but also salutes many other cultures. Think Chicken-Matzo Balls, Persian Meatballs in Pomegranate an dWalnut Sauce and Chinese Shrimp Ball Soup, to name just a few from this creative worldly selection.

I know Easter ham is what most folks enjoy on this holiday. But why not shake it up and have something a little different this year? Greek meatballs would be my suggestion.

This take is what a Greek meatball should be about - half ground lamb and half ground beef is the author’s preference for the meat mixture, while a lively combination of fresh mint, dried oregano and ground cinnamon

round out the flavoring.

Keftedes (meatballs in Greek) are best served with tzatziki, a cool and refreshing yogurt a nd cucu mber sauce.

You can serve these all by themselves with

some vegetable rice pilaf

and a cucumber and tomato salad. Or serve as a delicious appetizer while serving cocktails. I also like to serve them as a lunch main course with a bowl of shredded lettuce and warm wheat pita-bread halves - perfect for making your own Greek-style sandwiches. Any choice you make will be the right one.

GREEK MEATBALLS WITH TZATZIKI Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Tzatziki: 2 standard cucumbers 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup Greek-style yogurt (see note) 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint 2 cloves garlic, crushed though a press 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Greek meatballs: 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs 1/2 cup milk 1 1/2 pounds ground round (85 percent lean), or use half ground round and half ground lamb 1 medium yellow onion, shredded on the large holes of a box grater 4 cloves garlic, crushed through a press 2 large eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons olive oil Wooden toothpicks, for serving Directions:

To make the tzatziki, peel the cucumbers. Cut each in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Shred on the large holes of a box grater. Transfer to a wire sieve and toss with the salt. Let drain in the sink for 30 minutes to 1 hour. A handful at a time, squeeze the shredded cucumbers to extract more liquid, then transfer to a medium bowl. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, mint, garlic and pepper, and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

To make the meatballs, combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl. Let stand until the breadcrumbs are thoroughly moistened, about 3 minutes. Add the ground meat, onion, garlic, eggs, mint, oregano,salt, pepper and cinnamon. Use your hands to mix the meat mixture well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Using your wet hands rinsed under cold water, shape the meat mixture into 18 equal meatballs. Transfer the meatballs to a plate.

Heat the oil in a large skillet (preferably nonstick) over medium heat. In batches, add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining meatballs.

Spoon the tzatziki into individual ramekins or small serving bowls. Drain the meatballs briefly on paper towels. Serve the meatballs hot, with toothpicks for spearing and the tzatziki as a dip.

Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including Seriously Simple Holidays, and is a James Beard award-winning radio-show host. You can contact her at www.seriouslysimple.com.