CURRIED LAMB BURGERS WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES AND MINT RAITA

Curried Lamb Burgers with Grilled Vegetables and Mint Raita image

Provided by Tony Rosenfeld

Yield Makes 6

Number Of Ingredients 20

Raita:
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (preferably Greek-style)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/4 teaspoons finely grated lime peel
Coarse kosher salt
Burgers and vegetables:
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/4 cups chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt, divided
2 teaspoons Madras curry powder
1 3/4 pounds ground lamb
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons cracked black pepper, divided
3 medium zucchini (about 12 ounces), cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
6 green onions, trimmed
1 fresh poblano chile,* quartered, seeded
6 small naans (Indian flatbreads; about 6 inches long) or pita breads
1 large tomato, thinly sliced

Steps:

For raita:
Mix yogurt, mint, cilantro, and lime peel in small bowl. Season to taste with coarse salt and pepper. Cover; chill until cold, at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
For burgers and vegetables:
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Sauté until onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Mix in curry powder and stir 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Cool onion mixture to room temperature, at least 15 minutes.
Place lamb in large bowl. Add onion mixture, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, cilantro, and 1 teaspoon cracked pepper. Blend mixture gently; shape into six 1/2-inch-thick patties.
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Combine zucchini, green onions, and chile in another large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper; toss to coat. Place vegetables and burgers on grill. Cook until grill marks appear, about 4 minutes. Turn vegetables and burgers over. Cook vegetables until tender, about 3 minutes. Cook burgers to desired doneness, about 4 minutes for medium-rare. Cut zucchini and green onions crosswise into 2-inch-long pieces. Cut chile into thin strips.
Place breads on plates; top with burgers and tomato slices. Mound vegetables on burgers; spoon dollop of raita over. Fold bread up around burgers and serve with remaining raita.
* Often called a pasilla; available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets.