Melty Chickpea Cutlets

Melty chickpea cutlets are a great vegetarian alternative to classic meat cutlets. Here is the recipe and the procedure to prepare them.

Ingredients

• 400 g of cooked chickpeas (if you use canned ones, drain and rinse them well)
• 150 g of mozzarella (or another stringy cheese of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour (or wheat flour)
• 1 clove of garlic
• Fresh or dried aromatic herbs to taste (such as rosemary, thyme, or chives)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Breadcrumbs as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil for frying

Preparation

1. Start by mashing the chickpeas with a fork or use a blender to achieve a soft consistency, almost like a batter.
2. Incorporate into the chickpea mixture the flour, finely chopped garlic, aromatic herbs, salt and pepper. Mix everything until you get a homogeneous compound.
3. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so that it firms up a bit.
4. Cut the stringy cheese into small strips or cubes.
5. Take some of the chickpea mixture, flatten it slightly in your hand, then place a piece of stringy cheese in the center and close the mixture around the cheese, forming a cutlet.
6. Coat each cutlet in breadcrumbs, making sure it is well covered.
7. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the cutlets until they are golden and crispy on both sides.
8. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Serve the melty chickpea cutlets hot, accompanied by a fresh salad or a sauce of your choice, such as vegan mayo or tomato sauce.

Interesting Facts

Legumes like chickpeas are widely used in vegetarian and vegan cuisine as a source of protein. These cutlets are not only tasty but also nutritious and can be customized with different types of herbs and spices according to your tastes.