Prep time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins

 1 small onion, finely diced

500g pork mince

1 ½ cups grated pumpkin

2 cloves garlic

½ tsp white pepper

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

4 tbsp breadcrumbs

2 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp finely grated parmesan

Preheat oven to 180*. Mix the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Form into balls. Heat oil in an oven-proof frying pan and fry meatballs until lightly browned. Pour the hot tomato sauce over meatballs. Bake in oven for 30 minutes.

Polenta

Prep/cooking time: 10 mins

 1 ltr water

280g quick cook polenta

½ cup finely grated parmesan

200g mascarpone

salt

pepper

 Bring water to the boil in a large saucepan. Sprinkle in polenta while whisking. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until thick, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and stir through parmesan, mascarpone. Season and serve immediately.

 Tomato sauce (makes 3 cups)

Prep time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 15 mins

 1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 tbsp olive oil

½ cup chopped herbs – parsley, rosemary and thyme

2 x 400g tins crushed tomatoes

salt

pepper

 Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Sauté onion and garlic until soft but not coloured. Add herbs and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Deglaze saucepan with tomatoes and simmer until reduced by half. Season to taste.