Chickpea Flour Fritters

Chickpea flour fritters, also known in Italy as “panelle” in Sicily, are a crunchy and tasty snack. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 250 g of chickpea flour
• 750 ml of water
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper (optional)
• Oil for frying

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, sift the chickpea flour to avoid lumps.
2. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil with a pinch of salt.
3. Gradually pour the chickpea flour into the boiling water, stirring continuously with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming.
4. Cook over low heat, continuing to stir, until the mixture becomes thick and detaches from the bottom of the pan; it will take about 8-10 minutes.
5. Pour the mixture onto an oiled surface or tray and spread with a spatula to get an even layer about half a centimeter thick.
6. Let the mixture cool completely, then cut the cooled chickpea dough into rectangles or shapes of your preference.
7. Heat plenty of seed oil in a frying pan, and once hot, fry the fritters until they become golden and crispy.
8. Drain them on paper towels and serve hot, maybe with a sprinkling of black pepper if you like a bit of spiciness.

Curiosity

The chickpea flour fritters are a traditional preparation of Sicilian cuisine. In Palermo, “panelle” are often consumed as street food, stuffed inside a soft roll along with cazzilli (potato croquettes), thus creating the famous sandwich with panelle and cazzilli, a real delicacy to enjoy on the go!