Transfer the ingredients for the meatballs to a large mixing bowl and use your hands to mix everything together until well-combined. This will be mushy and sticky, but you’ll survive it, I promise.

As an alternative, you can prepare the meatballs in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Form 12 to 20 meatballs out of the meat mixture, depending on the size meatballs you like.

Heat a large skillet (I use a 12-inch cast iron skillet) over medium heat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Allow the skillet to heat up for a few minutes so that it becomes sizzling hot.

Place meatballs on the hot surface of the skillet and brown for 2 to 4 minutes, or until a golden brown crust forms. Carefully flip and cook another 2 to 4 minutes, or until your meatballs have browned on two sides. Set meatballs aside until you’re ready to add them to the soup.

Heat avocado oil (or cooking oil of choice) in a large thick-bottomed pot such as a Dutch oven. Add the onion to the large pot and sauté, stirring occasionally until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped carrots and celery and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.

Transfer the browned meatballs to the stock pot, then add in the remaining ingredients for the soup.

Cover the pot and bring soup to a full boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes or until the meatballs have cooked through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs.

Meatballs are considered fully cooked once they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’d like, you can insert a meat thermometer into the center of a meatball to verify the temperature.

If you’re cooking the soup slowly at a gentle simmer, wait until about 15 to 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve the soup to add the chopped zucchini. This ensures the zucchini doesn’t become overcooked or soggy.

Serve albondigas soup with white rice, Mexican rice, warm corn tortillas, lime wedges, a dollop of sour cream, or any side dishes you enjoy for a complete meal.