Falafel

Despite the fact that these protein-rich chickpea fritters are recognized as one of Israel's national meals, falafel is sometimes thought to have originated in Egypt, Lebanon, or Palestine. Yemenite immigrants in Israel began preparing falafel on the streets and selling it wrapped in paper in the 1950s to make a living, transforming this historic meal into an early type of Israeli fast food.

Fava beans can be substituted for chickpeas in the Israeli version, and the mixture is often seasoned with parsley, coriander, cumin, and onions. Falafel fritters are most typically served in pita or lafa flatbread sandwiches in Israel and other Middle Eastern nations, topped with fresh or pickled veggies and dipped in hummus paste, tahini dip, or a spicy, garlic-flavored yogurt sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried chickpeas (Do NOT use canned or cooked chickpeas), ½ tsp baking soda, 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, stems removed, ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed, ½ cup fresh dill, stems removed, 1 small onion, quartered, 7-8 garlic, cloves, peeled, Salt to taste, 1 tbsp ground black pepper, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional, 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions

• (One day in advance) Place the dried chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl filled with water to cover the chickpeas by at least 2 inches. Soak overnight for 18 hours (longer if the chickpeas are still too hard). When ready, drain the chickpeas completely and pat them dry.
• Add the chickpeas, herbs, onions, garlic and spices to the large bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Run the food processor 40 seconds at a time until all is well combined forming a the falafel mixture.
• Transfer the falafel mixture to a container and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or (up to one whole night) until ready to cook.
• Just before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the falafel mixture and stir with a spoon.
• Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and form into patties (½ inch in thickness each). It helps to have wet hands as you form the patties.
• Fill a medium saucepan 3 inches up with oil. Heat the oil on medium-high until it bubbles softly. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil, let them fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or so until crispy and medium brown on the outside. Avoid crowding the falafel in the saucepan, fry them in batches if necessary.
• Place the fried falafel patties in a colander or plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Serve falafel hot next to other small plates; or assemble the falafel patties in pita bread with tahini or hummus, arugula, tomato and cucumbers. Enjoy!