Pork-Fennel Burgers

Summary

Time

30 minutes

Yield

8 burgers

Ingredients

• 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into large chunks
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves
• 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, with some of the fat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or more to taste
• Peeled orange slices, chopped olives, chopped parsley, chopped roasted red pepper and fennel slices, to garnish (optional).

Method

1. If grilling or broiling, heat should be medium-high and rack about 4 inches from fire. Put fennel and garlic into a food processor and pulse until just chopped; remove to a large bowl. Put pork fat in processor and grind until just chopped; add to bowl. Working in batches, process meat with fennel seeds, caraway, if using and salt and pepper, until meat is just chopped (be careful not to over-process). Add to bowl and mix well. Shape mixture into 8 patties.
2. To broil or grill, cook about 5 minutes on each side, turning once after 4 or 5 minutes and again as necessary, 8 to 10 minutes total. For stovetop, heat a large skillet over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, then add patties; cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes, then rotate them so they brown evenly. When browned, turn. Total cooking time is about 10 minutes. (They can remain ever-so-slightly pink in the center.)
3. Garnish with peeled orange slices, chopped olives, chopped parsley, chopped roasted red pepper and fennel slices, to taste.

Source

NYTimes, 25 May 2010