Turkish Raw Meatball Salad

Name: Turkish Raw Meatball Salad
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 cup fine bulgur wheat; 250g lean ground beef (optional; traditionally served raw but can be omitted for a vegetarian version); 1 medium onion, finely grated; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp pepper paste (mild or hot, depending on preference); 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley; 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste; Juice of 1 lemon; 1/4 cup olive oil; Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving; Lemon wedges and fresh herbs (parsley or mint) for garnish