Similar in texture to crab cakes, these homemade veggie burgers with southwestern spices will jazz up any meal. Try them with scrambled eggs for brunch or alongside a salad, chips, and salsa for dinner.

 2 slices firm sandwich bread, crumbled 
 Several leaves of fresh Italian parsley, chopped 
 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs, plus extra for coating 
 3/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar or Monterey Jack 
 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil 
 3/4 cup finely chopped onion 
 1/2 cup finely chopped green or red bell pepper 
 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels 
 1 clove garlic, minced 
 1 teaspoon chili powder 
 1 teaspoon cumin 
 1 egg, lightly beaten 
 1/3 cup solidly packed pumpkin mash or canned pumpkin 
 1/3 cup ricotta 
 1/2 teaspoon salt 
 1/2 teaspoon pepper 
 2 tablespoons butter

1. In a medium-size bowl, mix together the crumbled bread, parsley, bread crumbs, and grated cheese. Set this aside. Heat the oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat, then add the onion, pepper, and corn. Sauté the vegetables until soft, about 7 minutes, stirring often. Mix in the garlic, chili powder, and cumin and cook it all for another minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and spoon the contents into the bread crumb mixture.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the egg, pumpkin, and ricotta. Add the bread crumb mixture, stirring thoroughly, then season with the salt and pepper. Flour your hands, then shape the mixture into six 3/4-inch-thick patties, using about 1/3 cup for each one. Dredge the patties in bread crumbs and refrigerate them for about 1 1/2 hours.

3. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Transfer the patties to the skillet and fry them over medium heat until they turn golden, about 4 minutes on each side. Remove them from the skillet and serve right away. Makes 6 patties.

4. Test kitchen tip: The crumbled bread is essential to the texture, and prepared bread crumbs shouldn't be substituted. Set out the bread slices for about 30 minutes to air-dry, then crumble them by hand, with a serrated knife, or in a food processor