Meatballs in Sour Cherry Sauce Bowl with Crisp Pita

Name: Meatballs in Sour Cherry Sauce Bowl with Crisp Pita
Cuisine: Syrian
Ingredients: 1½ pounds (680 g) lean ground beef; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil (mild flavored, neutral oil); 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil (mild flavored, neutral oil); 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil (mild flavored, neutral oil); 4 cups cherries, pitted, either (620 g) frozen, (620 g) fresh, or (980 g) jarred with juices; 4 cups cherries, pitted, either (620 g) frozen, (620 g) fresh, or (980 g) jarred with juices; 4 cups cherries, pitted, either (620 g) frozen, (620 g) fresh, or (980 g) jarred with juices; 1 teaspoon pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons (40 g) pomegranate molasses; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 teaspoons sugar; ¼ cup (60 ml) water, as needed; 1½ cups (270 g) diced tomatoes; 1 cup (135 g) diced cucumbers; 1 red onion, diced; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice; 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil; ½ teaspoon salt; Greek yogurt; Fresh mint or parsley leaves; Fresh mint or parsley leaves; Toasted pine nuts

Preparation info

Makes
4
servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Mediterranean Bowls

By Mahy Elamin

Published 2026

About

As unusual as this recipe may sound, it’s one of Syria’s staple recipes celebrating the abundance of sour cherries in season. Tender beef or lamb meatballs are seared and drenched in a sour cherry sauce with pomegranate molasses and a hint of cinnamon. The sour cherry meatballs are served over toasted pita bread (the classic way), topped with plenty of toasted pine nuts, and served with a simple salad and a cool dollop of yogurt. This is a nod to Aleppo’s iconic dish, kebab karaz.

Ingredients

Asia
Syria
Main course
Mediterranean

Ingredients

Method