The turkey and zucchini burgers are the second recipe I chose for the CookBook Club project by Aifb.
This month we dusted off a very special book from our libraries, Jerusalem, written by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. A book that came out about a decade ago, but still very relevant. For me, it’s one of those books that should be present in every respectable culinary library.
Yotam Ottolenghi is a Jew of Italian-German origin, while Sami Tamimi is a Palestinian who grew up in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. Although they lived in the same city, they were separated by seemingly distant and often conflicting cultures. Both left Jerusalem in search of peace, finding their roots through cooking. Today, in London, they manage two restaurants and three Mediterranean specialty stores under the “Ottolenghi” brand, and another store in New York.
Jerusalem is a synthesis of the culinary art they have learned, recovering the flavors of childhood in Jerusalem: 120 recipes representing an incredible cultural fusion between Muslim, Jewish, and Christian traditions.
As I mentioned before, this is the second recipe I prepared, the first was Shakshuka. I couldn’t resist and also cooked these delicious burgers. The sumac sour cream is something amazing, it goes perfectly with all white meats, but also with grilled vegetables or falafel.
If you also love ethnic recipes, I propose three really delicious ones:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 18 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Stove, Air Fryer, Oven
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Turkey and Zucchini Burgers
- 1 lb turkey (ground by the butcher)
- 1 cup zucchini (grated and squeezed)
- 1.4 oz green onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp mint (chopped)
- 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp pepper (freshly ground)
- 1/2 cup sunflower oil (for browning)
- 5.3 oz Greek yogurt
- 3.5 oz sour cream
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest (finely grated)
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp sumac
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Tools
- Air Fryer
Preparation of Turkey and Zucchini Burgers
First, prepare the sumac sour cream. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Put the ground turkey in a bowl. Add the grated and well-squeezed zucchini, garlic, chopped green onion, chopped cilantro and mint, cumin, salt, and peppers. Lastly, add the egg and mix carefully.
Moisten your hands and form the turkey burgers. If the mixture is too soft to make patties, add a couple of tablespoons of flour.
Place the turkey and zucchini burgers on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Ottolenghi’s recipe calls for first browning in a pan on both sides and then baking for 6-7 minutes in a hot oven at 338°F.
I placed the turkey burgers on the parchment paper tray for the air fryer, brushed them with a little extra virgin olive oil, and cooked the patties for 20 minutes at 338°F.
Once ready, place the burgers on a serving platter and serve with the sumac sour cream.
They are delicious both freshly cooked and at room temperature.
Follow me on social media
my Facebook page my Instagram profile my Pinterest page
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What is sumac?
Sumac is a spice made from the dried berries of some species of the Rhus genus. It is widely used in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African cuisines. The spice has a deep red color and a tart, lemony flavor that adds a hint of acidity to dishes.
Sumac has a long history of culinary and medicinal use. It was known and used by ancient Romans and Greeks and has remained a popular spice in many cultures through the centuries.How to use sumac?
In cooking, sumac is commonly used as a seasoning for salads, meats, fish, and vegetables. It is a key ingredient in some spice blends, such as za’atar.
It can be used to prepare marinades, sauces, and dressings, providing a fresh and slightly tangy flavor.
In some culinary traditions, it is used to make refreshing drinks.What benefits does sumac offer?
Sumac is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It is rich in vitamin C and other beneficial compounds that can contribute to overall well-being.
