Potato and Pea Burgers

Potato and pea burgers are a great vegetarian alternative to classic meat burgers. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients

• 2 medium potatoes
• 1 cup of fresh or frozen peas
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 egg (optional, can be omitted to make the recipe vegan)
• Breadcrumbs or panko, as needed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs to taste (for example, parsley or coriander)
• Spices to taste (such as paprika, turmeric, cumin)

Preparation

1. Start by boiling the potatoes with their skin in boiling water until they become soft. Once cooked, drain them, peel them, and mash them with a potato masher or with a fork until you get a puree.
2. If you are using fresh peas, boil them until tender. If using frozen peas, thaw them. Once ready, add the peas to the potato puree and lightly mash them together into the mixture (leaving some whole pieces for texture).
3. Add the chopped onion and garlic, salt, pepper, aromatic herbs, and spices to the potato and pea mixture and mix well. If you decide to use the egg, add it at this stage to better bind the ingredients.
4. Gradually add breadcrumbs until the mixture becomes firm enough to form burgers. If the mixture is too moist, add more breadcrumbs.
5. Shape the burgers with your hands, pressing the mixture well to prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
6. Heat some oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the burgers until they are golden brown on both sides.
7. Serve the potato and pea burgers on open buns and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sauces, or other vegetables.

Curiosity

In Italy, potato burgers could be enriched with typical ingredients like mozzarella, grated Parmesan, or even a touch of pesto for an even more Mediterranean flavor. This dish is a demonstration of how Italian cuisine can adapt and reinterpret dishes from other cultures while maintaining that distinctive Italian touch.