Turkey Meatball Turkeys

I can't tell you how surprised I was to NOT find any pictures of this little edible craft online. Dare I claim to have had an unprecedented creative idea? Take that Pinterest!

With 4 pounds of Jelly Belly beans on my desk at work, you could say I'm definitely pro-sweets. But wouldn't you agree that a savory bite just really hits the spot sometimes? These little gobblers are entirely edible and have just the right kick and crunch to them. A sensible and festive appetizer—and that necessary something for the kids to "help" with so they're out of the way!

Ingredients
Turkey (or any meat) meatballs
Round tortilla chips
Jalapeño cream cheese spread (or use/make any savory flavor you prefer; I liked the spice. Laughing Cow soft spread cheese also works great.)
Variety cheeses, sliced
Twist pretzels

Just have enough of each ingredient so that you can "prepare the turkey" for as many people as you hope to impress. Heat the meatballs as directed. I chose to bake them so there wasn't greasiness, just heated meat. Set aside when done so they can cool for handling.

Meanwhile, if you've got a helper, have them lay out cheese slices or cut planks of cheese to your preferred feather thickness. Otherwise DIY! I used a serrated knife to slice blocks of sharp cheddar and Colby Jack cheese to get a textured plank.

 To make the feathers, cut teardrop or rounded diamond shapes out of the sliced cheese.

 If you can find or fashion little cookie cutters, you'll be happy!

If you've got another helper, have him or her carefully break or cut the top heart curves of the pretzel free from the rest of the knot. These pretzel curves look most like neck/head pieces to me, but that doesn't mean you can't think of a more creative and complicated morsel to make a turkey head from. Press longer curved end into meatball. Prepare a hole in the meatball with a quick poke from a knife if your pretzels don't skewer the meat very easily.

Then spread each rounded tortilla chip with cream cheese, covering only one side. (Triangle chips don't work so well. I had to keep breaking the pointed tip off so the turkey would stand, so that the feather fan didn't get as much glorious fanning action.) To ensure the chip will stick to the heated meatball, plop a glob of spreadable cheese on one edge of the chip. Like cheese glue.

Either stick the feathers to the chip in a fan formation first or press the coated chip against the meatball first and then squish the feathers into the cheese where there's still room.

If the meatballs don't stay up very well, you can use left over pretzel bits or cheese scraps to prop them up. You might also consider choosing cheese scrap props to double as little feet sticking out from the turkey's meaty body. Best to eat them sooner than later. The heated meatball can quickly get tough.

So simple and really the flavors and textures are quite enjoyable. But most important of all, cute! ;)

Note: not intended to replace actual Thanksgiving turkey. Your guests will love the meatball turkeys, but perhaps not enough to forgive the lack of turkey in the feast.

Off with you then. Taste the adventure!