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Chickpea Farinata with Leeks and Artichokes

17/11/2023

Here is the recipe for chickpea farinata with leeks and artichokes, a delicious dish that merges the traditional Ligurian farinata with the addition of leeks and artichokes, typical ingredients of Italian cuisine. It is a tasty and nutritious variant of this classic street food.

Ingredients

  • 200g of chickpea flour
  • 600ml of water
  • 1 large leek, cleaned and thinly sliced
  • 2 artichokes
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Chopped rosemary (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large container, mix the chickpea flour with water until you have a smooth and homogeneous batter without lumps. Add a pinch of salt and let sit for about 4 hours to allow the flour to fully hydrate.

  2. In the meantime, clean the artichokes by removing the hardest leaves and cutting off the tips. Slice them thinly and immerse them in water acidulated with lemon to prevent them from blackening.

  3. In a pan, heat two tablespoons of oil and sauté the sliced leeks until they become soft and lightly golden.

  4. Drain the artichokes from the water and add them to the leeks in the pan. Cook for about 5-10 minutes until the artichokes are tender.

  5. Preheat the oven to 220 °C and in the meantime, grease a baking dish or ovenproof dish with the remaining oil.

  6. Pour the chickpea flour batter into the dish evenly and distribute the leek and artichoke sauté on top. Add an additional pinch of salt, black pepper, and, if desired, some chopped rosemary.

  7. Bake the farinata in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the surface is golden and crispy.

  8. Remove the farinata from the oven and let it cool slightly before cutting it into pieces and serving.

Curiosity

Chickpea farinata is a dish originating from Liguria, particularly from Genoa, and is known in various parts of the Mediterranean by different names: socca in France, cecina in Tuscany, or panelle in Sicily. Its simplicity and versatility allow it to be easily enriched with other seasonal ingredients, as in this autumn version with leeks and artichokes.

Chickpea Farinata with Leeks and Artichokes