Falafel - An irresistibly delicious symbol of peace
Whichever health food restaurant you go to, you will find falafel on the menu. Many of us do not know what a falafel really is and where it comes from.
Namely, it is a meal that originates from the Middle East, and is one of the favorite dishes of the local population in Israel. This dish looks like a fried ball or meatballs. However, this dish does not actually contain meat, but is made from a mixture of chickpeas.
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Why is the origin of falafel controversial?
In the Middle East, pitulica, known as pita bread, is served, and salads and hummus are usually added to this "sandwich". Falafel is also served with salads or as an appetizer for some larger meals.
Apart from its irresistible taste and unusual appearance, falafel sounds tempting to us because of the word itself. And do you know what the name of this dish really means? Namely, the word "Falāfil" is a plural of the word "Filfil", which means "pepper" in Arabic.
The word itself has spread and is used in other languages such as Persian and Sanskrit in which it has the meaning: small round work, circular shape and the like. Therefore, the word falafel symbolizes "small balls" with pepper. However, if we add the Coptic and Egyptian meanings of the word, "of many beans", we actually get an explanation of what this Middle Eastern dish looks like and what it is made of.
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The origin of falafel is still completely unknown, but quite controversial. The common theory is that this dish originated in Egypt and was eaten by the Copts as a substitute for meat during Lent. Over time, falafel has become a common form of fast food in Egypt and the Middle East.
Falafel balls are sometimes eaten during Ramadan as part of iftar, a meal eaten after sunset. It became so popular that McDonald's served "McFalafel" for some time in its breakfast menu throughout Egypt.
Falafel is still popular with the Copts, who prepare large quantities of this dish during religious holidays. Debates over the origin of falafel sometimes turn into political debates about the relationship between Arabs and Israelis. In modern times, falafel is considered the national dish of Egypt, Palestine and Israel.
Many Palestinians believe that the Israelis are unfairly accepting this famous recipe, and the Lebanese Association of Industrial Manufacturers has even filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Israel over falafel.
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According to Jonathan Keys-Lev, falafel and hummus are often used as symbols of peace and as a means of bringing Israelis and Palestinians to the same table.
Falafel has become popular among vegetarians and vegans as an alternative to meat-based street meals and is now sold in packaged mixes at health food stores. Although traditionally thought to be used to make veggie burgers, the use of falafel has expanded as more and more people accept it as a source of protein.
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Falafel is a great food that can lead people to eat a little more foods rich in fiber, which contributes to the health of their body. There is a lot of protein and fiber from chickpeas, because one cup has 15 g of protein and 14 g of fiber. Chickpeas contain a lot of iron, folic acid, magnesium, phosphorus and B vitamins.
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Falafel is made from healthy chickpeas
They are available in different colors such as black, beige, brown and red and are an integral part of Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. It is also very versatile and can be used for cooking any dish and can be built into any kitchen. In addition to their unique taste and aroma, chickpeas have many health benefits.
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Chickpeas are rich in fiber and help with weight loss
Chickpeas are as rich as they are soluble. as well as insoluble fibers. While soluble fiber helps keep bile under control, insoluble fiber promotes digestion and aids in weight loss. They also make you feel full for a long time.
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They are a good source of protein for vegetarians
Many vegetarians skip proteins that can be easily obtained from animal foods. To avoid this, you can opt for a meal with chickpeas and whole grains of wheat. This is a good source of protein without adding calories and unsaturated fats.
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Recipe for falafel
Although in the Middle East, where falafel comes from, it is traditionally prepared from chickpeas or beans, crushed garlic, parsley and spices such as cumin and sweet pepper, today there are many variations on the theme, and in the following we will give you a proven recipe that certainly will not you are wrong.
It is necessary:
- 250 g raw chickpeas
- 2,3 cloves of garlic
- 1 black or purple onion
- 30 g of flour
- 5 g ground cumin
- 4,5 g of baking soda
- pepper
- juice of half a lemon
- kim
- a little chili
- coriander
- basil
- frying oil
Preparation:
Wash the chickpeas several times, then soak them overnight to soften them. Pour that water the next day, then wash the chickpeas again, then put it in a blender or chopper, then blend until you get a granular texture. Leave a spoon in a blender, two chickpeas, and transfer the rest to another deeper bowl. Then add chopped onion and garlic, coriander, cumin, chili and lemon juice to the blender and blend well to get a nice paste (if you use fresh coriander and basil, it will be even better because the paste will be nice green).
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Add the pasta to the chickpeas and mix everything well, and in another bowl mix the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda and ground cumin and add it to the previously prepared mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mix again, then remove a small amount of the mixture (which you slightly moistened) with your hands and shape into walnut-sized balls.
In deep and well-heated oil, at a moderate temperature, fry the falafel for a few minutes on both sides so that it is evenly fried, taking care not to burn it. Take it out on a paper napkin to drain off the excess fat, then serve with pita bread or wholemeal tortilla, lettuce, tahini or vegetables if desired.
Tip plus: If you care about calories and fat, you can bake falafel in the oven on baking paper for about 25 minutes at 180 ° C, but in the meantime you need to turn it over to bake it evenly.
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