Craving meatballs — but not the meat? As the holidays approach with traditionally meat-laden meals, these black bean meatballs can lighten up your weeknight menu, even while still delivering important protein and nutrients.

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They are made from a blend of black beans and quinoa, along with all the garlic, spice and piquant cheese any good Italian meatball should include. Serve them as a vegetarian meal or as an appetizer, speared with a toothpick to swipe through the warm tomato sauce.

Active time: 50 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes, plus chilling time

Yield: Makes about 16 (1 1/2-inch) patties

2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed, blotted dry

Olive oil

1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion

4 cloves garlic, grated

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon swe

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