Falafel Balls

Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Falafel is usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze.

Falafel Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried chickpeas or 1 can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oil for frying
  

Method:

• Place dried chickpeas in a bowl, covering with cold water. Allow to soak overnight. Omit this step if using canned beans.
• Drain chickpeas, and place in pan with fresh water, and bring to a boil.
• Allow to boil for 5 minutes, then let simmer on low for about an hour.
• Drain and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
• Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste) in medium bowl. Add flour.
• Mash chickpeas, ensuring to mix ingredients together. You can also combine ingredients in a food processor. You want the result to be a thick paste.
• Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.
• Fry in 2 inches of oil at 350 degrees until golden brown (5-7 minutes).
• Serve hot.
  

N.B:
Falafel can be served as an appetizer with hummus and tahini, or as a main course. Stuff pita bread with falafel, lettuce, tomatoes, falafel sauce, salt and pepper. As an alternative, falafel can be formed into patties and served like a burger.