Substitute breadcrumbs for oats (or gluten-free breadcrumbs) to make gluten-fee.
Nurture is honored to have been involved in teaching cooking classes to students at Dawes Elementary School, where kids have been growing a garden and participating in the Slow Food in Schools, Farm to Table project.
In the “Cooking Up Wellness” classes, we celebrate fruits and vegetables by making Zucchini Black Bean Burgers and Tomato, Corn, and Mango Salsa.
This recipe is simple, affordable, and kid-tested and approved!
I encourage you to try making these burgers with your children.
Zucchini Black Bean Burgers
Ingredients:
– 1- 15oz can black beans (or chickpeas)
– 2 zucchini, 7-9 inches long
– 1/4 cup ground rolled oats or breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon pepper
– ½ teaspoon cumin
– ½ teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions:
Wash and drain the black beans and place in a medium-sized bowl. Using a potato masher, crush the beans until they form a paste. Lay out 2 paper towels. Shred zucchini on paper towels. Cover with 2 more paper towels, pressing down to drain off water from veggies. If you find there is still a lot of moisture to them, repeat the process. When they no longer release moisture, add to bowl with black beans, along with ground oats or bread crumbs, egg, salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic powder. Use hands to incorporate all ingredients evenly, adding more breadcrumbs if too wet. Create ¼ inch – ½ inch thick patties of the vegetable mixture and cook in a saute pan on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until brown, flip, then about 5 minutes more, until brown on the other side. Serve warm on burger buns with preferred condiments.
Corn, Tomato, and Mango Salsa
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
– 1-14 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained of juice, or 1 cup fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped
– 1 mango peeled and chopped
– juice from 1 lime
– 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
– 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
– salt and pepper
– 1-4 ounce can diced green chile, drained of juices or 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
Directions:
Place corn and drained tomatoes in a bowl. Peel and chop mango into small cubes, being careful not to cut into the seed at the center. Add lime juice, red wine vinegar, cilantro, and desired amount of salt and pepper. Mix ingredients together and serve. If you prefer spicy salsa, add seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper or 1-4 ounce can diced green chili, drained of juices, to bowl and mix before serving.
Food for Thought: A small fast food burger contains 250 calories, 9 grams of fat (including 3.5 grams of dangerous saturated fat), and only 2 grams of fiber. Zucchini Black Bean Burgers contain less than 200 calories, 5 grams of fat (less than 1 gram saturated fat), and a very high 5 grams of fiber. Both burgers cost around $1.50/per burger. Zucchini Black Bean Burgers are the clear choice for a low calorie, low fat, and high fiber, healthy meal!
Want to learn how “Food Feelings” affect your health and how to eat for optimal energy and well-being? Please check out this FREE Make Nutrition Fun Course on teachable!
