Savory Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa Burgers
These Savory Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa Burgers are a deliciously nutritious alternative to traditional meat patties. Inspired by Hubert Keller's Burger Bar cookbook, I’ve made some adjustments to cater to my tastes and dietary preferences. The sweetness of the roasted butternut squash combined with the nutty flavor of quinoa creates a satisfying base for these veggie-packed burgers. Topped with melty Gruyère cheese, fresh veggies, and a tangy Piquillo Pepper Ketchup, these burgers are bound to impress even the staunchest meat lovers. Perfect for summer barbecues or cozy family dinners, these burgers are healthy, flavorful, and entirely plant-forward.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Honey
1 (tablespoon)
Unsalted butter
1 (tablespoon, melted (or margarine))
Ground cinnamon
1 (pinch)
Kosher salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Butternut squash
1 (small, halved and seeds removed)
Olive oil
2 (teaspoons)
Olive oil
2 (tablespoons for cooking)
Quinoa
1/2 (cup, well-rinsed)
Water
1 (cup)
Ground hazelnuts
1/4 (cup)
Whole wheat breadcrumbs
1/2 (cup, plus more if needed)
Egg
1 (large, beaten)
Gruyère cheese
6 (slices)
Whole grain buns
6 (for serving)
Butter lettuce
6 (leaves)
Tomato
6 (slices)
Caramelized shallot
as needed (for topping)
Piquillo pepper ketchup
as needed (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined.
3
Place the butternut squash halves, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the squash generously with the honey-butter mixture.
4
Roast in the preheated oven until the flesh is tender, about 40 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
5
Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add rinsed quinoa and lightly toast for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
Pour in the water, add a large pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Then cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes until the quinoa is fluffy. Allow to cool.
7
Scoop out the flesh of the roasted squash and mash it lightly in a bowl. Combine the mashed squash with the cooked quinoa, ground hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. After chilling, form the mixture into six equally sized patties. Refrigerate the patties again for another 30 minutes to firm up.
9
In a large non-stick skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Cook the burgers for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crusted. Place a slice of Gruyère cheese on each burger during the last minute of cooking to melt.
10
Toast your whole grain buns. Assemble each burger with a lettuce leaf, layer of tomato, caramelized shallots, and a burger patty topped with a generous spoonful of Piquillo Pepper Ketchup. Enjoy your flavorful, veggie-packed creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa Burgers?
They are a nutritious plant-forward meat alternative made from roasted squash, quinoa, hazelnuts, and spices, topped with Gruyère and Piquillo Pepper Ketchup.
Who inspired this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by Hubert Keller's Burger Bar cookbook, with adjustments made for specific dietary preferences and tastes.
What temperature should the oven be set to for roasting the squash?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How is the butternut squash prepared for roasting?
The squash halves are brushed with a mixture of honey, melted butter, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
How long does it take to roast the butternut squash?
The squash should roast for approximately 40 minutes until the flesh is tender.
How do you cook the quinoa for these burgers?
Toast rinsed quinoa in olive oil for 3 minutes, then add water and salt, bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes.
What ingredients are combined with the mashed squash?
The mashed squash is combined with cooked quinoa, ground hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, a beaten egg, and crushed red pepper.
Why does the burger mixture need to be refrigerated?
Refrigeration helps the mixture firm up so the patties maintain their shape during the cooking process.
How long should the burger mixture chill in total?
The mixture should chill for at least 30 minutes before forming patties, and then the formed patties should chill for another 30 minutes.
How many patties does this recipe yield?
The recipe instructions are designed to form six equally sized burger patties.
What is the best way to cook the patties?
Cook them in a large non-stick skillet with olive oil over medium heat until they are golden brown and crusted.
How long should each side of the burger be cooked?
Each side should be cooked for approximately 3 minutes.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe calls for six slices of Gruyère cheese to be melted onto the patties.
When should the cheese be added to the burger?
Place the cheese on the burger during the last minute of cooking so it can melt properly.
What kind of buns are recommended?
Whole grain buns are recommended, and they should be toasted before assembly.
What are the suggested fresh toppings?
The burgers are assembled with butter lettuce leaves and slices of fresh tomato.
What specialized condiment is used in this recipe?
A generous spoonful of Piquillo Pepper Ketchup is used to top the burgers.
Are there any crunchy elements in the burger patty?
Yes, ground hazelnuts and whole wheat breadcrumbs provide texture and a nutty flavor.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of margarine as a substitute for unsalted butter.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly burger recipe.
What should I do if the burger mixture is too wet?
You can add more whole wheat breadcrumbs beyond the initial 1/2 cup if needed to reach the right consistency.
How do you prepare the onions for the topping?
The recipe suggests using caramelized shallots as a flavorful topping for the burgers.
What provides the spice in the burger patty?
Crushed red pepper is added to the squash and quinoa mixture for a bit of heat.
How much quinoa is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of well-rinsed quinoa, which is then cooked in 1 cup of water.
Should the squash be cooled before mixing?
Yes, allow the roasted squash to cool slightly before mashing and combining with other ingredients.
What size butternut squash is needed?
A small butternut squash is sufficient for this recipe.
Is the quinoa toasted before boiling?
Yes, toasting the quinoa in olive oil for 3 minutes before adding water enhances its nutty flavor.
How many tablespoons of olive oil are used for cooking the burgers?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used in the skillet for pan-frying the patties.
Is there cinnamon in the burger patty?
Cinnamon is used in the roasting glaze for the squash, which eventually becomes the base of the patty.
What is the order of assembly for the burger?
Toast the bun, add lettuce, tomato, caramelized shallots, then the cheesy patty, and top with Piquillo Pepper Ketchup.