Duck Balls

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 450F.
2. 2
   Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface.
3. 3
   Set aside.
4. 4
   Bring the orange juice to a boil in a small pot over high heat and reduce by three-quarters, about 5 minutes.
5. 5
   Set aside and allow to cool.
6. 6
   Lay out the fennel rounds in a separate 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
7. 7
   Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 cup water.
8. 8
   Roast until soft, translucent, and beginning to brown, about 20 minutes.
9. 9
   Place in the refrigerator to cool.
10. 10
    Once they are cool, chop them finely.
11. 11
    Combine the chopped fennel and reduced orange juice with the ground duck, eggs, bread crumbs, bread, and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated.
12. 12
    Roll the mixture into round, golf ballsize meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the meat firmly.
13. 13
    Place the balls in the prepared baking dish, being careful to line them up snugly and in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid.
14. 14
    The meatballs should be touching one another.
15. 15
    Roast for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are firm and cooked through.
16. 16
    A meat thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 165F.
17. 17
    Allow the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish before serving.