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Broad Bean Falafel

17/11/2023

Broad bean falafel is a variation of the more common chickpea falafel. They are highly appreciated especially in Middle Eastern cuisine and offer a slightly different taste, sweeter and less earthy compared to chickpeas. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of dried broad beans
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • A bunch of fresh parsley
  • A bunch of fresh coriander (optional, as not everyone enjoys the taste)
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ground coriander (if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Oil for frying (preferably olive oil for an Italian touch)

Preparation

  1. Soak the dried broad beans in plenty of water for at least 8 hours, or better yet, overnight. This process is important for softening the beans and making them more digestible.

  2. After the soaking time, drain and rinse the beans.

  3. In a blender, combine the beans with the coarsely chopped onion, garlic cloves, parsley, and coriander. Blend everything until you get a homogeneous mixture, but still with some small chunks to add texture.

  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the cumin, ground coriander, chili, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Mix well to blend all the ingredients.

  5. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, so that the flavors merge and the baking soda acts, making the falafel light.

  6. Heat plenty of oil in a pan and, when it is hot, shape the mixture into small patties or discs and fry them until they become golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.

  7. Remove the falafel from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  8. Serve the falafel hot, accompanied by tahini sauce or Greek yogurt.

Fun Facts

In Italy, you could also serve the falafel on a bed of salad with some grated pecorino cheese on top, for an Italo-Middle Eastern fusion of flavors. Alternatively, try adding some fresh mint to the mixture for an even more aromatic and fresh variant. Falafel can also be used as a filling for pita bread with vegetables and sauces of your choice.

Broad Bean Falafel