Cypriot Pan-Seared Lamb Meatballs with Roasted Eggplant & Orzo

Ingredients

• 1.25 lbs Ground lamb, lean, 7% fat preferred
• 1.5 cups Orzo pasta, whole wheat if available
• 1 large Eggplant, cubed into 1-inch pieces
• 6 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, divided: 3 for meatballs, 3 for eggplant
• 0.5 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup Fresh mint, chopped, divided
• 0.33 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.33 cup Whole wheat breadcrumbs, unseasoned
• 3 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 tsp Lemon zest
• 1.5 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.75 tsp Cumin, ground