Michigan 
Falafel has rich history in the Middle East, with roots reaching back to the Egyptian pharaohs. It served as a traditional Jewish meat substitute during Lenten fasts. Before the 1970s, falafel in the United States was a limited-availability food, made only in Jewish and Middle Eastern neighborhoods of large cities like New York and Philadelphia. A surge of interest in Middle Eastern vegetarian cuisine in the 1970s and 1980s, however, led to falafel becoming a popular US staple, especially in urban areas, where it has proliferated as a street food. Of all the Middle Eastern dishes that expanded globally in this time period, falafel has enjoyed the deepest penetration and demonstrated the greatest staying power, with more than 700 current sellers in New York City alone. Serve falafel wrapped in a flatbread sandwich, over a bed of salads, or enjoy as a solitary snack food.
Recipe Servings: 6
+ 8 hours resting
Ingredients
Directions
- Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and fill with water to a level a few inches higher than the top of the beans. Soak overnight and then rinse.
- Add the rinsed chickpeas, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, flour, salt, cumin, ground coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cardamom to a food processor. Process to the consistency of a coarse paste, similar to chunky peanut butter. Do not over-process.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for several hours.
- Working with 2 tablespoons at a time, form the paste into small balls, rolling by hand. Add flour as needed to make the falafel balls cohere.
- In a large skillet, heat 1–2 inches of oil over medium-high heat. Cook the falafel balls for 4–6 minutes, turning once, until browned on all sides.
Recipe introduction and directions © Copyright 2016-2024 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.