Celebrating summer – or just wishing for a little taste of the tropics? These Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers have a spicy twist that will have you dreaming of island breezes! I like them with a pineapple slice and a dash of bottled barbeque sauce, but they are just as good with traditional condiments like ketchup, mustard, and pickles. They are quick to throw together, and you can eat the leftovers tomorrow (or even make a double batch and freeze some for another night).

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 1/2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 fresh japapeno pepper, seeded and membranes removed, finely diced
• 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil and toss the sweet potatoes on the pan, along with one tablespoon of olive oil and the Kosher salt.

Bake the sweet potatoes for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, saute the onion and jalapeno in a medium frying pan with another tablespoon of olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, about five minutes or until the vegetables are soft and translucent. Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes and black beans. Mash with a potato masher until the mixture is lumpy, but well combined. Add onion and peppers, bread crumbs, and spices. Mix thoroughly.

With your hands, press the mixture into patties. Depending on the size of your sweet potatoes, you should be able to make six or seven patties.

Heat a frying pan over medium high heat (you can use the one you cooked the onions in, if it’s big enough to hold all of the patties in one layer), then heat the remaining oil. When the oil is hot, add the patties. Cook three minutes on each side; the burgers should be lightly browned and heated through.

Serve on your choice of bun, along with a pineapple ring and some bottled barbecue sauce, if desired. Enjoy!

Looking for a side dish? Try Roasted Potato Salad!

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