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Fried Chickpea Meatballs

17/11/2023

Chickpea meatballs are a tasty and flavorsome dish, perfect as both an appetizer and a main course. Here is the recipe to prepare them, with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of cooked chickpeas
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Parsley to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin powder (optional)
  • Breadcrumbs to taste
  • 1 egg (if your diet allows it)
  • Flour to taste for breading
  • Oil for frying

Preparation

  1. Start by draining the chickpeas well if you’re using canned ones and rinse them under running water. If you’re starting from dry chickpeas, remember to soak them the night before and cook them until they are soft.

  2. Finely chop the onion, garlic clove, and parsley.

  3. In a food processor, blend the chickpeas together with the onion, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and cumin until you get a homogeneous and malleable mixture. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a little water; if too moist, add some breadcrumbs.

  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the egg and mix well. The egg helps to bind the mixture together, but if you prefer a vegan version, you can use a plant-based egg substitute or increase the amount of breadcrumbs to achieve the desired consistency.

  5. Shape the mixture into balls, roll them in the breadcrumbs and then in the flour, which will help create a crunchy crust when you fry them.

  6. Heat plenty of oil in a pan and once hot, fry the meatballs until they are golden on all sides. Make sure to turn them regularly for even cooking.

  7. When they’re ready, drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  8. Serve them hot, maybe with a side sauce made from yogurt or tomato.

Chickpea meatballs can be customized in many ways, for example by adding chili for a spicy touch, aromatic herbs for a fresher flavor, or grated cheese for a richer taste.

Curiosity

Chickpea meatballs are an excellent plant-based alternative to classic meatballs and can be adapted to many dietary regimes, including vegetarian and vegan ones. Additionally, chickpeas are an excellent source of plant proteins and fibers.