No vegan cookbook would be complete without a veggie burger. This is my winning formula. It’s all about texture; veggie burgers should be firm like their meaty counterparts, so they don’t sploosh out the sides of the bun after one bite. Served with special sauce, lettuce, pickles and onions, these burgers will turn anyone into a veggie burger lover!
1/2cup(25 g) chopped scallionswhite and green parts, about 4 regular-sized scallions
1cup(117 g) walnuts or pecans
1cup(138 g) pumpkin seeds
1cup(102 g) quinoa flakes
Special Sauce
1/2cup(120 ml) vegan mayo
3tbsp(45 g) diced pickles
1tspwhole grain mustard
1tspketchup
1tspapple cider vinegar
1tspcoconut sugar
1/2tspgarlic powder
1/2tsponion powder
1/2tsppaprika
Buns an Toppings
Burger buns
Red onion
Pickles Lettuce
Instructions
To prepare the zucchini, add the zucchini into a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and mix around with a fork. Let stand to drain. Use the fork to press the zucchini against the strainer to release as much water as possible. Set aside.
Add the carrots and beets to a bowl. Add the spinach, kale and scallions to the food processor. Process until finely ground. Add the mixture to the grated vegetables. Add the walnuts and pumpkin seeds to the processor and process until finely ground. Add them to the vegetable mixture. Add the zucchini, quinoa flakes and a pinch of salt. Use your hands to mix everything together really well.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C, or gas mark 4). Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper. Using a 1/4-cup (60-mmeasure, scoop out the mixture, forming burgers by really packing the mixture together, and pressing it between your palms. If your hands get sticky, rinse them off in between. Place the burgers onto the sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes, flipping them over at the 15-minute mark.
To make the special sauce, add the mayo, pickles, mustard, ketchup, vinegar, coconut sugar, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika to a small bowl. Mix well. Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator in a sealed jar for up to 1 week.
To assemble the burgers, toast the buns. Spread the special sauce on both sides. Place a burger on the bottom bun. Layer with onion, pickles and lettuce. Top with the other half of the bun.