Do not worry. Southerners do not eat actual porcupine balls. They eat some unusual critters and critter parts, but porcupine balls are really just meatballs with rice used as filler and to add some texture and a twist on the flavor of the meat balls. The rice can be thought of as porcupine quills, but they don’t stick like real porcupine quills.
There are many ways to make hamburger meatballs, and many different seasonings can be added to the ground beef mixture or to the sauce. Some Southern cooks also add different juices or fruit to the porcupine ball sauce which is typically tomato based.
This recipe for Porcupine Balls is a good basic recipe with items that are typically in the home pantry. The recipe can be doctored up, but it’s very good with just the basic ingredients. For families with kids, the basic version often works out better, because kids will frequently balk when they see unfamiliar items mixed in with the meat balls or the sauce.
Southern Porcupine Balls Appetizer Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup long grained rice (do not cook the rice – just use the raw rice)
- 1 small onion chopped fine
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 TBS catsup (or enough to bind meat mixture)
- 1 6 ounce can tomato sauce
Directions:
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the hamburger meat, rice, onion, salt, and pepper. It’s easiest to use your hands and squeeze the meat until the other ingredients are evenly mixed in.
- While mixing, add the catsup which acts as a binder to hold the meat together in balls. More catsup may be needed, but wait until the meat mixture has been worked a bit before adding in much catsup.
- Shape the meat into balls the size of walnuts or a little smaller than golf balls.
- Place meatballs in a baking dish. A size 9 x 9 or similar works well.
- Pour tomato sauce over the top of the meat balls.
- Put a tight fitting lid over the porcupine balls or cover top of casserole dish with aluminum foil and crimp edges.
- Bake meatballs for an hour at 350 degrees F.
- Serve porcupline meatballs with mashed potatoes and little green sweet peas for a very traditional Southern dinner.
More Favorite Southern Appetizer Recipes:
Lit'l Smokies Appetizers - There are many ways to make Hillshire Farms Little Smokies. This is a collection of favorite Hillshire Farms mini sausage recipes.
Party Ham Cheese Sandwiches - These mini sandwiches baked on Pepperidge Farm rolls are always crowd pleasers. They're easy to make and travel well.
Tortilla Party Cream Cheese Wraps - Little tortilla wraps are cute and easy to serve at gatherings. These appetizers can be made ahead and ready to serve.
Best Buffalo Wings - If you've never mastered fabulous chicken buffalo wings, this recipe with tips will have you frying the best wings in town in no time.
Southern Fried Frog Legs - Tender white meat frog legs are one of the tastiest appetizer treats ever. It can be hard to find frog legs, but it's worth the look.
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