ZUCCHINI BURGERS

8 patties, 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup grated zucchini (gently squeeze out excess water)

• 1 cup mashed sweet potato (see instructions - it's easy, don't freak out)

• ½ cup finely diced fennel bulb or celery

• 2 tbsp hemp seeds (optional, for richness)

• 1 cup spelt flour (or oat flour for GF)

• ½ cup chickpea flour

• 4 tbsp ghee 

• 1 tsp fennel seeds 

• ½ tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp salt

• 2–4 tbsp water (as needed to form patties)

Optional toppings

• Lettuce, spinach, kale, sprouts

• Tahini lime sauce

• Dollop of coconut yogurt

• Fresh herbs such as basil, mint, or dill

• Avocado slices

• Yellow tomato slices (yellow is less acidic than red)

• Sprouted whole grain bun or your choice of bread (preferably sprouted, sourdough, or gluten free - NO to any bread that says "enriched grains")

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook & mash sweet potato: Peel and cube 1 medium-large sweet potato (about 1.5 cups cubed).

2. Place in a pot with 1 inch of water.

3. Steam for 10–12 minutes, or until very soft when pierced with a fork.

4. Mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Let it cool slightly before using in the dough.

5. While that is steaming: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper

6. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients

7.  Mix until a thick dough forms. Add water 1 tbsp at a time only as needed to bring it together.

8. Form into 12 small patties. Let rest for 5–10 minutes to firm up.

9. Bake: 18–20 minutes on parchment-lined tray, flip halfway.

10. Serve patties warm, topped with yogurt, tahini sauce, fresh herbs, sprouts, or alongside greens/avocado. Enjoy!

#lunch #dinner #spring #summer #vata #pitta #kapha #kidfriendly

Notes

• Whole doesn't love a burger?! Especially a plant-based one that doesn't fall apart.

• Vata burger - feel free to load it up with sauce and cheese (obviously good quality and preferably fresh like paneer or mozzarella), avocado, and any of the bread choices you would like. You benefit from the heavy qualities of a moisty fatty burger.

• Pitta burger - If using cheese opt for a non-sour kind like mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, paneer. Use any bread option you would like (unless you are dealing with a yeast/ fungus issue, then use a wrap or serve it over rice). Use coconut yogurt or a pesto sauce as the sauce. Lettuce, sprouts, or any green would be great for you.

• Kapha burger - you would benefit from an open face or lettuce wrap burger. Load it up with sprouts, sprouted mung beans, greens, fresh herbs, a small schmear of sauce (just for taste), and skip the cheese.