This savory and sweet burger has ingredients so good that nothing goes to waste. Extra squash puree can be used for your next meal as a side dish or pasta sauce.

Serves 6

 

 

Dietitian’s Tip: Pair this hearty meal with a light green salad mixed with dried or fresh fruit and nuts, and dress with a ratio of 3 parts oil to one part vinegar.

INGREDIENTS
1 acorn squash
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 pounds reduced-fat ground pork (4% fat)
2 tablespoons apple butter (or applesauce)
½ tablespoon chopped fresh sage
½ tablespoon + 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons ancho chili powder or 1 smoked chipotle pepper (optional in squash puree)
½ cup low-fat or fat-free dairy milk
6 whole grain English muffins, toasted
2 cups fresh arugula
6 slices smoked gouda (or cheddar)

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Halve and seed the squash and cut into large chunks. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and roast on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes, or until a fork comes out clean.

In a mixing bowl combine the pork, apple butter, sage and ½ tablespoon of thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Mix together and form into 6 equal patties.

Once the squash has cooled enough to touch, spoon the meat from the skin into the bowl of a food processor.

Blend together the squash, milk, 1 teaspoon of thyme and an optional spice until smooth.

Cook the burgers over a hot grill to desired doneness, flipping only once.

Assemble the burgers: layer the arugula onto the bottom of the English muffins, place the burger on top, and, add the cheese slices, and finish with a generous spread of the squash puree.

Serve right away and enjoy.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Per serving: 470 Calories, 16 g total fat, 7 g saturated fat, 120 mg cholesterol, 590 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 46 g protein, 450 mg calcium

Recipe courtesy of: National Dairy Council