Chickpea Fritters

I’ll describe how to prepare delicious chickpea fritters, a simple and tasty dish that can be served as an appetizer or snack. This recipe is typical of Italian cuisine, especially in Tuscany, where it is called “cecina,” or in Liguria, where it is named “farinata”.

Ingredients

• 200 g of chickpea flour
• 600 ml of water
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt, as needed
• Black pepper (optional)
• Rosemary (optional, for flavoring)
• Onion (optional, to enhance)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, sift the chickpea flour to avoid the formation of lumps.
2. Gradually add the water, stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon to obtain a smooth and uniform mixture.
3. Incorporate the extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, and if desired, freshly ground black pepper to add a bit of spiciness.
4. Let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes, so that the flour can hydrate properly.
5. In the meantime, heat a drizzle of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
6. Once the oil is hot, ladle in enough batter to form a fritter that is not too thick.
7. Cook the fritters until they are golden brown on both sides, flipping them carefully with a spatula to avoid breaking them.
8. As they are ready, transfer the fritters to paper towels to remove excess oil.
9. Serve hot, potentially adding chopped rosemary or finely sliced onion into the batter for an extra touch or simply sprinkle over the top.

Chickpea fritters can be enjoyed on their own or accompanied by tomato sauce or any other sauce of your liking.

Trivia

Chickpea fritters, like cecina or farinata, are extremely versatile and can be enriched with other ingredients such as vegetables or cheeses before cooking. They are a perfect solution for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.