Falafel – is an Arab dish made from plant-based ingredients. The main ingredient is chickpeas (garbanzo beans). In appearance, the dish resembles small cutlets (meatballs).
The popularity of the dish in the East is due to the fact that falafel is considered a vegetarian dish. This allows it to be consumed during fasting. In Israel, Falafel is considered a traditional dish. However, it raises doubts that in Middle Eastern countries (Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon), falafel is considered a fairly ancient dish, hundreds of years old. Perhaps, people of past centuries used different ingredients to prepare the dish.
It is noteworthy that the appearance of the first falafel cafes in Israel is attributed to the Israelis. They claim to the whole world that the event took place in the city of Netanya, in the early 1930s. But according to history, Israel is a artificially created state on the territory of Palestine in 1948.
Falafel: Global Adaptation
Chickpeas are rich in proteins, fiber, and minerals. It is possible to list many of the microelements contained in the product. But it should not be forgotten that any plant-based protein food can also harm the body. If you consume falafel daily, without adding other foods to your diet, bloating is inevitable. Flatulence, bowel issues – unpleasant consequences, so moderation is necessary in food.
In European countries, chefs have learned to replace chickpeas with other plant-based products. Bulgur, regular peas, and even beans are used. It cannot be said that falafel becomes better or worse due to substitution. Just the taste is different. If all ingredients included in the dish are kept, the buyer is unlikely to notice the difference from the original product.
Vegetarian Recipe
Chickpeas, carrots, greens, and spices – a simple recipe to make falafel. It should be remembered that dry chickpeas are very hard and require pre-soaking in water. About 6-8 hours is enough for the chickpeas to absorb moisture and become suitable for cooking. After soaking, the chickpeas are ground in a blender. Carrots are grated finely, and greens are chopped with a knife. All ingredients are mixed into a minced mixture, and spices are added to taste.
Forming small balls, falafel is placed on a skillet pre-filled with vegetable oil. The dish is fried and served hot. In Egypt, falafel is served in pita bread – a flat round bread.