A Winning Meatball Recipe from Old West Christmas Fest

This year the Ovando Old West Christmas Fest had a meatball cook-off, organized by Eloise McNally and Norma Bower and sponsored by Fred & Leigh Ann Valiton.

“They asked us to host the event this year. The cook off has been going on for five years and to change it up we decided to do a meatball cook off.” McNally said.

The winner this year: Terry Sheppard’s Pineapple Sweet and Sour Meat balls.

“It comes from The Montana Cookbook by Steven D & H Duane Harvey,” Sheppard said. “This book has all kinds of recipes for Pioneer, Wild Game, On the Trail and Indian foods.”

If you’re interested in trying ir yourself, the recipe for Pineapple Sweet and Sour Meat Balls is:

½ pound ground pork sausage

½ pound ground game meat

Salt and pepper

1 cup beef bouillon

1 green pepper, thinly sliced

1 onion

1 large can pineapple chunks

½ cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 egg

Combine meat, egg and ½ onion, finely chopped, to make small meat balls (may add bread crumbs as needed).

Brown meat balls and add bouillon.

Cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Add pineapple, drained; sugar and soy sauce.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Thicken with cornstarch and add ½ cup pineapple liquid; simmer a few minutes.

Add finely sliced green pepper and remaining onion.

Cook 10 minutes.

Serve over rice.