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Winter's Dawn: Celebrating the Solstice

The Winter Solstice, which occurred on December 21st, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, signaling the official start of winter. Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Julia Gomez from USA TODAY explore the significance of this astronomical event and how it is celebrated across different cultures. The solstice, occurring when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun, brings the least amount of daylight and the longest night. This year, the solstice fell on December 21st at 4:21 a.m. EST, marking the astronomical beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Historically, the Winter Solstice has been a time of celebration and reflection. Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans with their Saturnalia festival and the Norsemen with their bonfires, honored the return of the sun and the promise of longer days ahead. Today, people continue to observe the solstice with various traditions, including gatherings, feasts, and rituals that pay homage to the natural cycles of l...

Grilled Moroccan Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce


Spice things up with these grilled Moroccan meatballs, seasoned with warm spices and cooled down with a creamy yogurt sauce—every bite is packed with flavor!

Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • Oil for greasing the grill

For the Yogurt Sauce:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • ½ cucumber, peeled and finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the egg, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground allspice, chopped cilantro (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  2. Add the ground beef and panko bread crumbs to the spice mixture. Mix together with your hands until just combined.
  3. Use a 1/3 cup measure to portion out the meat and shape it into discs.
  4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grease it well.
  5. Place the meatballs on the grill and cook for about four minutes per side, until charred and no longer pink in the center. As they cook, the centers will dome slightly, creating nicely shaped meatballs.
  6. Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, finely diced cucumber, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix to combine.
  7. Serve the grilled Moroccan meatballs over couscous, topped with the refreshing yogurt-cucumber sauce.

Enjoy this flavorful and easy-to-make dish! 

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