Pasta and California Fig Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped California Dried Figs
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon culinary lavender
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 large yellow onion, minced
• 1 pound ground pork or pork sausage
• 1 large egg
• 1 pound spiral or twisted pasta (such as gemelli), cooked to al dente
• California Fig Tomato Sauce
• Chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan for garnish