Otto’s Black Burger with grilled Pumpkin

LET’S GO

PREPARATION

1. Get ready

   Take burger patties out of the fridge and let them get to room temperature. Cut of the top of the butternut squash and scoop out the seeds. Then peel it and cut the pumpkin into 0.5-1 in thick rings. Wash the salad and pluck of leaves. If the buns are not precut, cut them now.

2. Prepare burger sauces

   For this burger we came up with a savory pumpkin mayonnaise and a fruity cranberry spread.
   Mix mayo and 2 tbsp pumpkin seed oil and add a pinch of salt and pepper for a little bit of extra flavor. Take a small pot and put in the cranberries then set aside.

GRILLING

1. Toast your black buns

   Pre-heat your Otto Grill on max. temp for minimum 3 minutes. Note: The Grill will remain on for the rest of this session. Do not run off in between steps!
   Turn down heat to mid-range (both knobs should point to in between the big and small flame icon). Then place your buns on the grate with the inner side of top and bottom half facing upwards to the burners. Lower grate to Meat-O-Meater level 5 and toast your buns. Be careful to not over toast. You are looking for a light browning of your buns and the smell of fresh toast. Take buns out of your Otto Grill and set aside.

2. Grill the bacon

   Take out your grill grate and place bacon strips on it. Put grill grate back into your Otto Grill and let it rest on Meat-O-Meater level 3 on medium to low heat. Now grill bacon until its crisp – the bacon might wrinkle up a little but that’s absolutely fine. Take out bacon and put aside until your burger is ready for assembly.

   
   
   



3. Grilling pumpkin on the Otto Grill

   Now baste your squash slices with olive oil to prevent them sticking to the grate. Put your squash slices on the grate and into the Otto Grill. Lower grate to Meat-O-Meter level 5 and roast on medium to low heat for 2-3 minutes per side. You want your squash to get some browning, so be careful to not overcook and char. Take out your pumpkin slices and set aside.

   
   
   



4. Grill your patties

   Before throwing your patties into the grill hit them with a little bit of salt. Then put your burger patties on the grill grate and bring it to Meat-O-Meter level 2. Grill patties on high heat (1500 °F degrees) for 1,5 minutes per side, 3 minutes total. Now lower the grate to Meat-O-Meter level 5 and grill patties another 2 minutes per side until they are medium to medium-rare.
   Meanwhile, put the saucepan with the cranberries on top of your Otto Grill to slowly warm them up. Stir from time to time to prevent cranberries from sticking to the pot.
   Afterwards, take the grate with the patties on it out and put 1 slice of cheddar cheese on each patty and put the grate back into your Otto Grill. Wait until the cheese is melting – which will only take a few seconds – and take out your grilled patties.

   
   
   

SERVING

1. Halloween Burger assembly

   Now for the grand finale: grease your bottom-half bun with some of your burger sauce and put salad on top of sauce. Put 2-3 slices of grilled butternut squash on the salad, place burger patty on it and top up with 2 bacon strips. Garnish with warm cranberries and finish assembly with the top half of your black burger bun.
   Enjoy! You might need a napkin or two. 😉