Zucchini Turkey Burgers With Sharp Cheddar and Tomato Relish

PREP TIME: 45 minutes

COOK TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 60 minutes

SERVES: 4

July 2022

Ketchup is grand, but making your own tomato relish — which is quick and easy — can bring your summer condiment game to a new level. Make a batch to go with these veggie-packed turkey burgers, and you’ll have plenty left over for other things.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds tomatoes
  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 yellow onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 small zucchinis
  • 1 pound ground turkey meat
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil
  • 4 burger buns
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar
  • Optional garnishes: Red onion, lettuce, tomato

Tools

  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Large pot
  • Airtight container
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cheesecloth
  • Two skillets (one oven-safe)
  • Metal spatula

Instructions

1. Cook tomato relish.

Halve tomatoes, scoop out and discard seeds, then roughly chop. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions, cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Add tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, mustard powder, chili, a bit of salt and pepper, and 1/2 cup of water. When mixture boils, reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring, 15 to 20 minutes, until tomatoes are broken down and mixture is thick. Cool slightly before serving. (The recipe makes between 3 cups to 1 quart of relish.)

2. Make burgers.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Finely grate 1 zucchini and gather in a cheesecloth. Wring out as much moisture as possible, then transfer to a bowl. Add ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until combined. Form burgers into 4 patties.

Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Cook turkey patties 5 minutes on each side. Then top each one with a slice of cheese and transfer to the oven for about 5 minutes, until cooked through.

3. Make the zucchini garnish.

As the burgers cook, heat a thin layer of olive oil in a second skillet over medium-high heat. Slice 1 zucchini 1/2-inch thick and add to hot skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper, and cook about 3 minutes per side until zucchini is soft and both sides are brown.

4. Prep and serve.

Toast burger buns. Assemble burgers with tomato relish, cooked zucchini, and chosen garnishes.

Kids Can!

  • Stir relish
  • Mix burger meat
  • Assemble burgers

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