Chickpea Fritters Recipes

CHICKPEA FRITTERS

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse together chickpeas, scallions, and cilantro until a coarse paste forms. Pulse in flour, egg, and salt. Heat 1/4 inch olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Add chickpea mixture to skillet, 1/4 cup at a time, pressing to form patties. Cook until golden brown on both sides, turning once, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with salad and lemon wedges.

CHICKPEA FRITTERS (PANELLE)

Steps:

• Lightly oil an 8- by 4-inch loaf pan (6-cup capacity) and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang at each end.
• Whisk together water, chickpea flour, sea salt, and 2 tablespoons oil in a 2 1/2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan until smooth, then cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon (to prevent lumps from forming), until very thick and mixture pulls away from side of pan, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer mixture to loaf pan, smoothing top. Cool, uncovered, then chill, surface of mixture covered with plastic wrap, until firm, at least 3 hours.
• Lift chickpea block out of pan using parchment and transfer to a work surface. Gently flip over block and discard parchment, then pat dry. Cut block crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices for panelle.
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Heat 1/2 inch oil (about 2 cups) in a deep 10-inch heavy skillet until it registers 375°F on thermometer, then fry panelle in 5 batches, carefully turning occasionally with tongs, until golden and puffed, 3 to 5 minutes per batch, and transfer to paper towels to drain. Keep warm on a baking sheet in oven while frying remaining batches.
• Arrange panelle on a platter and sprinkle with parsley and cheese. Serve immediately.

CHICKPEA FRITTERS WITH TZATZIKI

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add sesame seeds, cumin, and cayenne; cook, stirring, until the sesame seeds have begun to brown lightly and the spices are very fragrant, about 2 minutes; set aside.
• In a food processor, combine chickpeas, lemon juice, egg white, salt, and 1 tablespoon oil. Pulse several times to form a semismooth paste. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in onion mixture. Fold in flour until just combined. Using your hands, form batter into 1 1/4-inch patties, each about 1/3 inch thick.
• In a 12-inch saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-low heat. Cook half the patties, without flattening, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer patties to a paper-towel-lined plate, and season with salt. Repeat with remaining patties and tablespoon oil. Serve immediately with tzatziki.

PANELLE (SICILIAN CHICKPEA FRITTERS)

Steps:

• Place chickpea flour and some salt in a large saucepan over low heat. Pour in water, a little at a time, while whisking to prevent lumps.
• Once mixture is smooth and creamy, increase to medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring continuously, until the mix starts separating from the sides of the pan.
• Add parsley and a bit of pepper. Adjust salt if needed.
• Pour chickpea mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Spread evenly to form a 1 1/2 inch thick layer. Refrigerate until mixture has hardened, at least 30 minutes.
• Slice chickpea mixture into 1 1/2- x 2-inch rectangles.
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot until 250 degrees F (120 degrees F). Drop a few rectangles at a time into the hot oil and deep fry until crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.