Chickpea Meatballs

Chickpea Meatballs

Ingredients

1. Cooked Chickpeas - 400g (you can use canned chickpeas for convenience)
2. Garlic - 1 clove, minced
3. Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
4. Fresh Parsley - 2 tbsp, chopped
5. Stale Bread - 50g, soaked in water or milk and squeezed
6. Egg - 1 (optional, to bind the mixture)
7. Salt and Pepper - to taste
8. Spices (such as cumin or paprika) - to taste
9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - for frying or for greasing the baking sheet if baking

Preparation

1. Mash the Chickpeas: Mash the chickpeas in a large bowl until they form a coarse paste.
2. Add the Other Ingredients: Add the garlic, onion, parsley, soaked bread, the egg (if using), salt, pepper, and chosen spices. Mix well until the mixture is homogeneous.
3. Form the Meatballs: With damp hands, shape the mixture into meatballs of the desired size.
4. Cooking:
   • Fried: Heat plenty of olive oil in a pan and fry the meatballs until they are golden and crunchy on all sides.
   • Baked: Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lightly greased with oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are golden brown.

Tip: For an Italian touch, you can add some grated Parmesan or aromatic herbs like basil to the mixture.

Enjoy your meal!