Mediterranean Pita Burgers

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir

Every pour of our Pinot Noir brings you a delicious blend of berry flavors and the romantic aroma of violet.

Ingredients

Tomato Topping
2 pounds cherry tomatoes, rinsed
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 teaspoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons bottled minced roasted garlic
Feta Topping
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces feta, crumbled
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons mayonnaise
Patties
2 5/8 pounds ground chuck
3/8 cup sweet onions, finely chopped
1 1/2 ounces kalamata olives, pitted and chopped (weight is measured after pits are removed)
3 ounces pimento stuffed green olives, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
12 ounces frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and thoroughly drained (strained weight should be less than 6 ounces)
12 small white pitas, left whole

 

Instructions

Preheat grill on lowest setting. Skewer all the cherry tomatoes. Grill tomatoes on low, turning occasionally, until they are soft, but not quite ready to fall off the skewers (approximately 15 minutes). Remove the tomatoes from the skewers and place them in a bowl. After they have cooled slightly, smash the tomatoes with a fork so that the tomato pulp and juices have been released. Add the remaining Tomato Topping ingredients (i.e. Italian seasoning, brown sugar, olive oil and minced roasted garlic). Mix thoroughly. Using a strainer (with small openings), strain the juice from the tomato mixture. Place the remaining tomato mixture back into its bowl and remove the majority of the tomato skins. Set aside. To prepare the Feta Topping, in a separate small bowl, combine the olive oil, feta, cream cheese and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the ground chuck, onions, kalamata olives, green olives, oregano and spinach. Mix thoroughly. Form evenly into six patties. Preheat grill to medium-low. Cook the patties to desired doneness (approximately 12 minutes total for medium), flipping them half way through the cooking time. To assemble each burger, take one small whole pita, spread on one-sixth of the Feta Topping, and place one burger patty on top. Spread one-sixth of the Tomato Topping on the patty and top with another whole small pita. Serve and enjoy!