Kale and Chickpea Burger

Name: Kale and Chickpea Burger
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Italian kale (cavolo nero) (to clean) 7.1 oz; Precooked chickpeas (drained weight) 0.67 cup; Breadcrumbs 1 ½ cup; Garlic 1 clove; Lemon juice ½; Eggs 1; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Breadcrumbs to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste

it de es fr br

Lactose Free
Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Makes: 6 pieces
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Lulù Gargari

If you are into black cabbage burgers, you're gonna love this. Seriously, a patty made with cavolo nero and chickpeas is something else. In Tuscany—where this leafy green is a staple, especially in colder months—it’s tossed into all sorts of dishes. And the flavor? Really rich and earthy, and that bright green color just pops. This chickpea burger is way different. Packed with vitamins and offering a moist texture, it’s not your typical veggie burger. It really captures that Italian tradition—using simple, seasonal ingredients. You’ll get protein from the chickpeas and extra nutrients from the black cabbage. Honestly, it’s an easy vegetarian burger that's perfect for a quick lunch, family dinner, or when you’re craving something healthy and comforting.

In Tuscany, they love their veggie dishes, and this vegetarian burger fits right in. Some people dig it with a creamy yogurt sauce and roasted potatoes. Others? They go classic, with fresh bread, lettuce, and tomato. This black cabbage burger is perfect if you’re on the hunt for a plant-based burger that's full of flavor. The chickpeas and cavolo nero combo gives a tender bite and a bit of earthiness. Plus, little additions like a squeeze of lemon or sprinkle of herbs? They really really enhance the flavors. Even folks who usually avoid greens might be surprised by how savory and satisfying these burgers are. Thing is, since they're not fried, you get a lighter meal but still super filling. Enjoy them as a main dish or tucked into a bun for a homemade veggie burger night. For real, these burgers are a fun way to add more veggies to your meals and enjoy the taste of real Tuscan comfort food.

INGREDIENTS

For 6 burgers: Italian kale (cavolo nero) 7.1 oz (200 g) - (to clean); Precooked chickpeas 0.67 cup (150 g) - (drained weight); Breadcrumbs 1 ½ cup (180 g); Garlic 1 clove; Lemon juice ½; Eggs 1; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

for cooking: Breadcrumbs to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Kale and Chickpea Burger

To prepare the kale and chickpea burgers, first clean the kale by separating the stems from the leaves 1, then roughly chop the leaves 2. Place the kale in a pot with boiling salted water 3.

Cook the kale for about ten minutes 4, then drain it to remove excess water 5. In a pan, sauté a garlic clove in a drizzle of oil 6.

Add the well-drained kale 7, salt, and pepper 8, and sauté for about 10 minutes over medium heat. Turn off the heat, remove the garlic 9, and let it cool slightly.

In a mixer, add the drained chickpeas 10 and lemon juice 11, then add the kale 12.

Add the oil 13 and salt 14, then blend to obtain a fairly coarse texture, not perfectly smooth 15.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl, then add the egg 16 and the breadcrumbs, little by little 17. Mix well with a fork to combine everything, adjusting the amount of breadcrumbs according to the consistency 18.

Form the burgers by compacting and slightly flattening some of the mixture on the palm of your hand 19; to get a more precise shape, you can use a glass or a pastry cutter. With these quantities, you will get 6 burgers with a diameter of about 3.5 inches (9 cm). Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper on which you have sprinkled some more breadcrumbs, and cover both sides lightly 20. You are ready for cooking: place the burgers in a non-stick pan in which you have heated a little oil 21.

Cook the burgers over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side 22, until they form a golden crust 23. Your kale and chickpea burgers are ready to be served with a side dish and a sauce of your choice 34!