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

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar 
• 12  bibb lettuce leaves 
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 1 stalk celery minced
• 1.5 teaspoons celery seeds 
• 1 cup country ham diced
• 0.8 cup cream cheese softened
• 1 tablespoon mustard dry
• 3  ears corn yellow
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt 
• 0.5  bell pepper diced green
• 0.3 cup green onions sliced
• 2 pounds ground beef 
• 6  hamburger buns 
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 0.5  bell pepper diced red
• 0.5  onion red minced
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 6 tablespoons butter salted softened
• 0.3 cup sorghum syrup 
• 0.5 cup sugar 
• 1 teaspoon turmeric 
• 6 servings vegetable oil for brushing on grill rack
• 0.5 cup water 
• 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• hand mixer
• wooden spoon
• grill
• slotted spoon
• cutting board

Directions

1. Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Pour the vinegar and spice mixture over the vegetables, and season with salt. Set aside to pickle.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Spread the cut side of each bun half with 1/2 tablespoon butter and grill 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown.
10. 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!