Chickpea Falafel

To prepare the falafel, start the night before by soaking the dry chickpeas in cold water for at least 12 hours 1. After the soaking time, drain the chickpeas 2 and rinse them, then dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth: they must be perfectly dry at the time of use to ensure a mixture of the right consistency (for safety, you can further dry them for 10 minutes in a ventilated oven preheated to 210°F). At this point, put the chickpeas in a food processor 3.

Chop the onion into coarse pieces 4 and add it to the food processor 5 along with the crushed or squeezed garlic clove 6.

Season with salt, pepper 7, and cumin 8. Turn on the food processor to chop all the ingredients 9.

Chop the parsley separately and add it to the mixture: it is important not to mince it directly in the food processor because it would release too much water, compromising the consistency of the mixture 10. Blend again to mix everything together, then transfer the obtained mixture into an oven dish and compact it with the back of a spoon or a spatula 11. Cover with cling film 12 and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

After this time, shape the falafel with the special tool 13 and place them gradually on a tray lined with parchment paper 14. Alternatively, you can shape the falafel by hand: take small portions of the mixture and slightly flatten them between the palms of your hands, making sure to compact them very well. Proceed in this way until all the falafel are formed; with these quantities, you will get about fifty 15.

You are ready to fry: heat the vegetable oil in a pot until it reaches 340°F and fry a few falafel at a time, using a slotted spoon 16. As soon as they are nicely golden, drain them and transfer to paper towels 17. Serve your falafel while still hot 18!