Mozzarella-Stuffed Chickpea Balls

Mozzarella-Stuffed Chickpea Balls are a delicious and simple-to-make vegetarian dish. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 400 g of pre-cooked chickpeas (about one can)
• 80 g of pizza mozzarella or smoked scamorza cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 egg (optional, can be omitted for a vegan version)
• 2 tablespoons of flour (plus more for dusting)
• Chopped parsley to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Breadcrumbs to taste
• Olive oil for frying

Preparation

1. Start by draining and rinsing the chickpeas well if you are using canned ones. Put them in a mixer with garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Blend everything until a homogeneous texture is achieved. If you prefer, you can leave the mixture slightly coarse for a more rustic texture.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the egg (if you are using it) and the two tablespoons of flour. Mix well until the mixture is well bonded.
3. Take portions of the mixture and flatten them slightly, insert a cube of mozzarella in the center, and close well, forming a ball, so that the cheese is completely covered by the chickpea mixture. Proceed like this until all the ingredients are used up.
4. Roll each ball in breadcrumbs and then in flour, making sure to cover them evenly.
5. In a frying pan, heat plenty of olive oil and when it is hot, fry the balls until they are golden brown on all sides. Serve them hot to ensure that the stringy effect is maximized.

Curiosity

Chickpea balls are a vegetable variant of the classic meatballs and can be adapted in many ways. For example, you can add spices like curry or cumin for an oriental touch, or substitute regular flour with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version. Additionally, they are a great way to include plant proteins in your diet.