Chickpea Hummus

Chickpea hummus is a Middle Eastern cream made of chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, garlic, and various seasonings. Here is an Italian version of hummus, with a Mediterranean twist.

Ingredients

• 400 g of cooked chickpeas (if using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them)
• 2 tablespoons of tahini (sesame paste)
• 1 clove of garlic
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper (optional)
• A pinch of cumin (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley or other aromatic herbs as desired for garnish

Preparation

1. If using dry chickpeas, remember to soak them overnight and then cook them in water until soft. Otherwise, if using canned chickpeas, drain them well and rinse under running water.
2. In a blender, put the chickpeas, tahini, peeled garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin (if you decide to use it).
3. Blend everything until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream. If the hummus is too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little water or some of the chickpea brine.
4. Taste and adjust for salt, lemon, or garlic according to your preference.
5. Transfer the hummus to a bowl and, before serving, garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and chopped fresh parsley.

You can serve the hummus spread on warm pita bread, as a dip for raw vegetables, or as a side for breadsticks.

Curiosity

Hummus, besides being delicious, is also very healthy. Chickpeas are a great source of plant proteins and fibers, and the addition of tahini provides calcium and other essential minerals. Moreover, this cream is very versatile and can be customized with various ingredients, such as olives, roasted peppers, aromatic herbs, or different spices to create new versions each time.