Falafel is a term used in Arab gastronomy to refer to a kind of meatballs or croquettes made from chickpeas, which had its origin in the areas that make up the Indian sub-continent. Today it is a widely consumed dish in India, the Middle East and Pakistan. It is a classic dish that is usually served with yogurt or tahini sauce, it consists of a pita bread (Arabic bread), stuffed with chickpea croquettes, chickpea- based pureewith fresh vegetables and sesame seeds. This spectacular combination of flavors allows diners to enjoy a delicious dish, generally served as a starter. This dish in recent years has been making forays into western gastronomy, thanks to the many restaurants specializing in oriental food.
Falafel is a word that comes from the Arabic term “filifil” which means “pepper”. The falafel that is cooked in the Middle East, is made with beans, chickpeas or in any case a mixture of both, however in Greece there is a variant, since here it is prepared only with broad beans (beans), while others prepare it only with chickpeas. The most characteristic feature of this dish and that allows it to be distinguished from other meatballs or croquettes is that the chickpeas are not cooked, they are simply put in boiling water until they soften and then be crushed (depending on the taste, the skin can be removed previously) garlic and a generous amount of coriander are added, basically to form a paste, then proceed to form theflattened balls, which are then fry in hot oil.
Chickpea is the protagonist of this dish, providing innumerable nutritional benefits to those who consume it. As a good legume, it is rich in protein and fiber, in addition to adding fatty acids to the body, these acids are unsaturated, that is, they are very beneficial for the blood vessels, reducing cholesterol and triglycerides. Provides vitamins (most of group B) and minerals such as iron and calcium.
The sauces that usually accompany this meal are: taratur, this is a traditional dressing made with sesame paste and lemon juice. Arabic yogurt sauce, it is based on yogurt and lemon juice. Finally, the Greek cucumber sauce, this puts that point of humidity and brings freshness to the dish.
