Ingredients

• Meatballs
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 cup pitted and chopped fresh sweet cherries
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper


• 16 small lettuce leaves
• 16 dinner rolls, sliced in half


• Cherry Avocado Salsa
• 1 cup pitted and chopped fresh sweet cherries
• 1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and coarsley mashed
• 1/4 cup diced Anaheim chile pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cherries, egg, onion, parsley, mustard, garlic salt and pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined. Form into 16 meatballs, then place on a rack in a broiler pan. (Note: Mixing with hands is the easiest and most thorough method. If desired, use disposable gloves) Bake for about 20 minutes, or until done, turning the meatballs after 10 minutes of baking.


Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir briefly just enough to blend. (Note: Over-stirring may cause some of the green color in the avocado to turn dark from the cherry juices.)


Gently toss hot meatballs with 1/2 cup of salsa, if desired (this is optional). Place 1 small lettuce leaf on each roll, top lettuce with some Cherry Avocado Salsa, then place one meatball on top of salsa. Serve remaining salsa on the side, if desired.