Zucchini Hamburgers

Zucchini hamburgers are an excellent vegetarian alternative to classic meat hamburgers. Here’s how you can prepare them:

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 egg (or egg substitute for a vegan version)
• 50 g breadcrumbs
• 30 g grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino, or a vegan substitute)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Aromatic herbs to taste (basil, mint, parsley)
• 1 garlic clove (optional)
• Olive oil for cooking

Preparation

1. Wash the zucchinis and grate them using a coarse grater.
2. Place the grated zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with a little salt, and let rest for about 15 minutes. This will help remove excess liquid.
3. Squeeze the zucchinis well to remove as much water as possible.
4. In a large bowl, combine the squeezed zucchinis with the egg, breadcrumbs, grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste, and finely chopped aromatic herbs. If desired, add a finely chopped garlic clove as well.
5. Mix the mixture well and, if it is too wet, add more breadcrumbs until it reaches a moldable consistency.
6. Shape the mixture into hamburgers, using your hands or a cookie cutter.
7. In a non-stick pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil and cook the zucchini hamburgers for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
8. Once cooked, serve the zucchini hamburgers however you prefer: on a bed of salad, in a bun with tomato, lettuce, and sauces to taste, or as a main course accompanied by various side dishes.

Trivia

This dish is an example of how vegetables can be used to create valid alternatives to meat-based dishes. Zucchini hamburgers are extremely versatile and can be customized with different types of aromatic herbs or spices to suit everyone’s tastes. Moreover, they are a creative and tasty way to get both children and adults to eat more vegetables!

Enjoy your vegetarian zucchini hamburgers!