BLUEGRASS BURGERS WITH SWEET ROASTED CORN CHOW-CHOW AND COUNTRY HAM SPREAD

Bluegrass Burgers with Sweet Roasted Corn Chow-Chow and Country Ham Spread image

Provided by Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 28

Ingredients

3 ears yellow corn, shucked
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sorghum
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, minced
1 stalk celery, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup diced country ham
3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon hot sauce
2 pounds ground chuck
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for brushing on grill rack
6 good-quality hamburger buns
6 tablespoons salted butter, softened
12 Bibb lettuce leaves

Steps:

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat.
To make roasted corn chow-chow, rub the shucked ears of corn with olive oil. Put on the grill and cook, turning often, until the corn is slightly charred and still crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat to a cutting board and cool. Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, water, sorghum, sugar, dry mustard, celery seed, and turmeric in a medium saucepan and set the pan on the grill. Bring to a simmer to dissolve sugar.
Cut the kernels off the corn ears and add to a bowl with the diced green bell pepper, red bell pepper, red onion, and celery. Pour the vinegar and spice mixture over the vegetables, and season with salt. Set aside to pickle.
To make country ham salad, combine the ham, cream cheese, green onions, salt, pepper, and hot sauce in a bowl and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Alternatively, all the ingredients can be put into the bowl of a standing electric mixer and gently combined using the paddle attachment.
To make patties, combine the ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and pepper in a bowl. Divide mixture into 6 portions and gently form into patties. Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Arrange the patties on the grill and cook, turning once, approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium, or until desired doneness.
Spread the cut side of each bun half with 1/2 tablespoon butter and grill 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown.
To assemble, spread the bottom half of each bun with a generous helping of ham salad. Top each with 2 Bibb lettuce leaves and a burger. Using a slotted spoon, drain a scoop of chow-chow and put on top of the patties. Cover with the bun tops and enjoy!