Here are recipes for three types of meatballs.

Italian meatballs are best when made with equal parts beef, pork and veal.Try ground Hawaiian red veal (available at R. Field at Foodland Beretania and Kailua).

ITALIAN MEATBALLS

• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs

• 1/3 cup milk

• 1 pound ground beef or Hawaiian red veal

• 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley

• 1 medium clove garlic, minced

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place the breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl for about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and mix together well, kneading until smooth. Form meatballs.

Coat the meatballs with flour. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a little olive oil and when it is hot, add the meatballs. Brown the meatballs, turning them in the pan. Cook the meatballs until they are well done.

Serving suggestion: Serve as an appetizer, accompanied by a marinara dipping sauce. Or add them to a marinara sauce and serve over pasta.

Makes 4 servings.

• Per serving: 280 calories, 15 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 135 mg cholesterol, 800 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 28 g protein

KOREAN-STYLE MEATBALLS

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/4 cup finely minced green onion

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 clove garlic, finely minced

• 1/2 teaspoon finely minced ginger

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons water

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Mix well and beat several times with a wooden spoon. Shape into meatballs.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add about 1/8 inch of cooking oil. Place the meatballs in the hot skillet and brown on all sides. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until cooked through. Drain on paper towels.

Variation: Dredge meatballs in flour, dip in beaten egg before frying to form a golden crust.

Serving suggestion: Serve with steamed rice. Nestle a meatball into crisp lettuce leaves. Have some kim chee and takuan alongside, or how about a Korean-style spicy Romaine salad?

Makes 4 servings.

• Per serving: 260 calories, 15 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 125 mg cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 25 g protein

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

• 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 egg

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Place the breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl and add the milk. Let stand for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well with your hands. Using a wooden spoon, beat the mixture several times to incorporate some air. Shape the beef mixture into balls. Coat lightly with flour.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Brown meatballs and transfer to a plate, cover and keep warm until ready to serve.

Serving suggestion: Serve in a sauce. Accompany with buttered noodles.

Makes 4 servings.

• Per serving: 260 calories, 14 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 130 mg cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 26 g protein