Getting kids to eat their veggies is not always easy. But I did just that. I worked with a girl scout troop to make squash and bean burgers. I wanted to do something hands-on, colorful, and just a little different. I don’t believe kids should eat boring, bland foods. I certainly don’t like them. Why would they?
It was fun because the girls got to mash up all of their burger ingredients, in went the cooked squash, black beans, quinoa, bread crumbs, onions, and garlic.
The breadcrumbs, quinoa, nuts, and seeds act as binders that keep everything together while adding extra fiber and protein. Make your own breadcrumbs by grinding stale bread in the food processor if you have it. And experiment with the seeds and nuts of your choice. The first time I made these, I used the squash seeds but didn’t prefer such a chewy texture in the end. I like the crunch of sunflower seeds better and used those the second time around.
The spices are typical Mexican flavors you’d find in something like tacos – spices you probably already have in your pantry. But these aren’t spicy. Many basic chili powders are, in fact, sweet. A little cayenne powder or chopped pepper could up the heat for you, though.
There are a few ingredients to work with here, and maybe it’s more than you’d prefer. But a little planning brings it all together with little extra effort. Roast the squash, cook the quinoa and soak the beans a few days ahead of time, at your convenience. None of these require much attention. Why not prepare some extra while you’re at it?
Cooked squash, grains, and beans are good in so many dishes. Having them ready to go at any time makes for quick cooking at any time of day. Or maybe you have leftovers of some or all of these items in your fridge already. Any grain, squash, or bean could work in these burgers, so put those leftovers to another use!
After all the mashing, the girls formed their own patties. I let them feel invested in the process, and I think because of this, they were open to trying the burgers, even though they all said they had never had them before.
Why not try: Making a batch (or two) of these burgers, wrapping them individually, and having them ready to go in the fridge for a quick lunch or dinner any time during the week. Or freeze them to last even longer.
Squash and Bean Burgers
Roast the squash (step 1) in advance, and you’ll have burgers ready to go in no time.
Ingredients
- 4 cups winter squash, cut into large pieces
- 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (or 1 can rinsed, if not using dried beans)
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup red onion, minced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 cup nuts, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped (optional)
- olive oil
Instructions
- Drizzle the squash with a little olive oil, bake on a sheet in an oven preheated to 425F. Cook until tender, about 45 minutes. (Optional: If you’d like to use the squash seeds in the burgers, rinse and clean them, then fry in a pan over medium heat with two tablespoons oil until browned. Alternatively, you could use sunflower seeds.)
- When cool, peel off the squash skin, cut it into pieces, and mash in a bowl with the beans. Fold in quinoa, chili powder, cumin, coriander, seeds, nuts, and salt.
- Lightly sweat the onion – until it breaks down and begins to turn translucent – and garlic in a small pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Fold into the squash mixture with the bread crumbs.
- Using your hands, shape into patties.
- Add oil to a skillet, heat to medium, and fry burgers until browned, 2-3 minutes on each side.