These tasty burgers are the perfect answer for those who prefer not to eat meat at a barbecue...and you can bet that some of the carnivores will be trying them!

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups diced pumpkin (1-2cm dice)
• 1-2 tblsp oil
• 400 gram can white beans, rinsed, drained
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tblsp chopped sage
• 3-4 spring onions, finely sliced
• 100 grams blue cheese, sliced
• 1 crusty loaf bread
• oil for brushing

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Toss the diced pumpkin in the oil and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until tender and golden.
2. In a bowl, mash together the cooked pumpkin, beans, garlic, sage, spring onions and season with salt and pepper. With wet hands, shape into 5 to 6 patties.
3. Cook gently over a moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until hot and golden. Top each burger with 1-2 slices of blue cheese and melt under a moderate grill if wished.
4. Cut bread into 2 cm thick slices, brush both sides with oil, grill or BBQ both sides of bread. Serve the roast pumpkin burgers sandwiched between slices of toasted bruschetta.

Cooks Tips

- Use haricot or butter (cannellini) beans.