Fritas with Cuban Avocado Salsa and Tomato Sofrito

Fritas with Cuban Avocado Salsa Fritas is the name of mini-sized hamburgers, eaten on the go all over Cuba. They are sold by street vendors and they make the ideal snack food. I like to serve these burgers with spicy plantain chips, known affectionately as chili willies! Allow two burgers per person.Serving: 4 2 cups fresh white bread crumbs 1/2 cup milk 1 pound 5 ounces well-trimmed, coarsely ground beef 7 ounces ground pork 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 onion, peeled, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tablespoon light soy sauce 2 teaspoons tomato ketchup 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Pinch of paprika Salt and freshly ground black pepper Vegetable or sunflower oil for cookingTo serve: 8 small burger buns, split 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce Cuban avocado salsa Tomato sofrito (optional) Spicy plantain chips (optional)Cuban Avocado Salsa: 1 peeled, stoned avocado, diced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 cup diced fresh pineapple 1 small chopped red onion Juice of 2 limes 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons maple syrup Make the Cuban Avocado Salsa:Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl, mix thoroughly. Leave for the flavors to meld. 1. Soak the bread crumbs in the milk for 5 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. In a bowl gently combine both meats with the bread crumbs. Add all the remaining ingredients, mix well together, but do not overwork. Place in the refrigerator for one hour. 2. Divide the mix into 8 small, evenly sized burgers, brush liberally with the oil. 3. Heat a chargrill or pan grill until very hot, add the burgers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or longer if preferred. 4. Toast the buns; top the bases with the shredded iceberg, followed by the salsa. Top each with a burger, then spoon some hot tomato sofrito over. 5. Replace the burger lids, serve with the spicy plantain chips, and enjoy! Source: Excerpted from The Gourmet Burger by Paul Gayler © 2004 Reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith, Publisher