Greek Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 hot chili pepper, seeded and minced
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1 pound ground lamb
• 4 ounces salt pork or bacon, ground or finely minced
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Greek yogurt for dipping

Directions

1. Warm the oil in a small pan over medium heat, then stir in the minced garlic, chili pepper, and shallot. Give them 1 minute to soften, then take the pan off the heat and let everything cool.
2. While that mixture cools, break the lamb into a large bowl. Scatter the salt pork or bacon, orange zest, and mint across the top, then add pepper. Spoon the cooled garlic mixture over the lamb, and use a light hand to mix just until it comes together.
3. Shape the mixture into 1 1/4-inch balls and move them to a plate or sheet pan as you go.
4. Set a large cast iron pan over medium to medium high heat. If the pan looks crowded, cook the meatballs in batches, turning them so they brown all over and cook through, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Serve them warm with toothpicks or skewers and Greek yogurt.