Jerk Lamb Patties with Grilled Summer Squash

Jerk-spiced lamb patties, smoky August squash, and bright lime-scallion rice make a lively Caribbean-inspired dinner for two.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® Natural Ground Lamb
    12 oz $12.99
  • Squash Yellow
    12 oz $1.29
  • Kroger® Long Grain Rice
    1/2 cup $4.29
  • Water
    3/4 cup
  • Green Onions
    2 $1.50
  • Fresh Organic Lime
    1 $1.50
  • Olive oil
    1 tablespoon
  • Brown sugar
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground allspice
    1 teaspoon
  • Dried thyme
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Garlic powder
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground cayenne
    1/8 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Heat a grill to medium-high, about 425°F. Slice 12 ounces yellow squash lengthwise into 1/2-inch planks, thinly slice 2 green onions, and cut 1 lime in half.
  2. Combine 1/2 cup long-grain rice, 3/4 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes; remove from the heat, rest covered for 5 minutes, then fold in 1 sliced green onion plus the zest and juice of 1/2 lime.
  3. While the rice simmers, mix 12 ounces ground lamb with 1 sliced green onion, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and the zest and juice of 1/2 lime; shape into 4 equal patties.
  4. Coat 12 ounces sliced yellow squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned and tender, then transfer to a platter.
  5. Grill all 4 patties over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the centers reach 160°F; transfer them to a clean plate and rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Divide the cooked yield from 1/2 cup dry rice, all 4 patties, and all 12 ounces grilled squash between 2 plates, placing 2 patties and 6 ounces squash on each plate.

Total time: 50 minutes

Estimated cost: About $14–$17 using listed-price portions

Health notes: About 680 calories per serving, with roughly 34 grams of protein plus a moderate portion of rice and seasonal squash.

Drink pairing: A fruit-forward Grenache complements the lamb and cools the jerk spice without overpowering the lime.