Southwestern Pumpkin Burgers

From EatingWell: Summer 2002 — Subscribe Now!

Colorful, spicy and fragrant, these delicious burgers are right in style with the contemporary fondness for Southwestern foods, especially when served with Fresh Tomato Salsa.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Very tasty! Instead of the canned pumpkin I roasted and pureed an acorn squash. I also substituted shredded red cabbage for the lettuce. I topped with chipotle salsa and fat-free sour cream. A crisp green salad with avocado would round...

6 servings

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped red or green bell pepper
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Tomato Salsa, optional (recipe follows)
1/2 cup canned unseasoned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack, or Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
6 8-inch flour tortillas, (soft-taco size)
2 cups shredded lettuce

Preparation

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in bell pepper, corn, garlic, chili powder and cumin; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a large bowl; let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare Tomato Salsa, if using.
Add pumpkin, cheese, wheat germ, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt and pepper to the onion mixture; mix well. With dampened hands, form the vegetable mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties, using about 1/2 cup for each.
Preheat oven to 325°F. Stack tortillas and wrap in aluminum foil. Place in the oven for about 15 minutes to heat through. (Alternatively, stack tortillas between two damp paper towels; microwave on high for 30 to 60 seconds, or until heated through.)
Using 2 teaspoons oil per batch, cook 2 to 4 patties at a time in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned and heated through, about 4 minutes per side. Adjust heat as necessary for even browning. Wrap the patties in tortillas and serve immediately, garnished with lettuce and Fresh Tomato Salsa, if desired.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 3. Wrap patties individually and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

Nutrition

Per serving: 331 calories; 13 g fat (4 g sat, 7 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrates; 12 g protein; 6 g fiber; 638 mg sodium; 407 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (100% daily value), Vitamin C (45% dv), Folate 34% dv), Selenium (30% dv), Calcium & Iron (20% dv), Magnesium & Zinc (16% dv).

3 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 high-fat meat, 1 fat