Caribbean Grilled Turkey Burger Recipe

By Lee Griffith

Since World War II, the West Indies have widely come to be known as "the Caribbean." The Caribbean consists of three main island groups: the Bahamas in the north (with over 700 islands!), the Greater Antilles in the center (including Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and to the southeast, the Lesser Antilles (including Barbados, Trinidad, and many more).

The first inhabitants of these islands are thought to be Arawaks and the Caribs. It is likely that their cuisine was quite simple, prepared from an ample supply of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. The Europeans introduced cattle, sheep and pigs to the islands, and the cooking styles of the Spanish, the English, the French, the Portuguese and the Dutch blended with the traditions of the isles. The result has been a wide array of exciting dishes.

This Caribbean grilled turkey burger recipe is easy to prepare, yet makes a spectacular presentation for any summer patio party! The sweet and spicy jerk seasoning combined with the tropical fruit and and other ingredients creates exciting layers of flavor that are both tangy and refreshing. Celebrate the summer months with these burgers topped with the mango salsa recipe which follows!

Griff's Caribbean Grilled Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

1.35 lb. ground turkey

1 egg, beaten

1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained

3 tbsp. green onion, finely chopped

4 rounded tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 tbsp. McCormick® Caribbean Jerk Seasoning

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl, blend well, by hand, the meat with all other ingredients, and form into about seven small patties (or make fewer, but larger burgers if you like). Coat grill with a little oil or PAM® no-stick cooking spray. Grill burgers. IMPORTANT: Use canned, crushed pineapple in this recipe, NOT fresh! I tried it with fresh one time and the burgers fell apart and made a real mess! Serve these burgers on hamburger buns with lettuce and the mango salsa recipe below.

Griff's Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

2/3 cup chopped mango

2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice

2 tbsp. fresh squeezed orange juice

4 rounded tsp. jalapeno peppers (with most of the seeds and membrane removed), very finely chopped.

4 rounded tsp. finely chopped red onions.

2 rounded tsp. finely chopped red bell peppers.

2 rounded tsp. finely chopped green bell peppers.

1 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1/2 tsp. Lawry's® seasoned pepper (or black pepper)

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate for an hour or more before serving. This salsa is the perfect compliment for the above Caribbean turkey burgers and is great on grilled fish and chicken too!

Copyright © 2007 Lee Griffith. All rights reserved.