Baked chickpea balls are a main course that contains neither meat nor fish, yet they provide a significant protein intake thanks to this legume which is their main ingredient.
Enriched by the presence of eggs and cheeses, these balls are also very tasty.
It is a dish suitable for those who follow a vegetarian diet, simple to prepare and also quick if you already have cooked chickpeas.
Moreover, it’s a way to consume legumes even in warmer months when you’re less inclined to eat soups or stews.
The addition of sesame seeds on top gives a taste that goes well with chickpeas and adds an exotic touch to this preparation, making it more appealing.
These balls, especially if made slightly smaller, can be served as appetizers or during aperitif.
I often serve them sprinkled with a hint of turmeric.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 555.86 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 68.72 (g) of which sugars 11.11 (g)
- Proteins 31.00 (g)
- Fat 19.06 (g) of which saturated 5.47 (g)of which unsaturated 11.81 (g)
- Fibers 14.55 (g)
- Sodium 222.56 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 124 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 14 oz chickpeas (cooked)
- 1.8 provola cheese (mild)
- 1.8 oz sesame
- 0.5 oz Grana Padano DOP (grated)
- 0.35 oz Tropea onion (fresh)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
- to taste parsley
- to taste turmeric powder (optional)
Tools
- Blender/mixer
- Baking tray
Preparation
For preparing the chickpea balls, cold cooked chickpeas will be needed.
If you want directions about soaking and cooking, you can follow the procedure found clicking here.
Alternatively, you can use canned pre-cooked chickpeas; in this case, do not use the canning water, discard it.
Drain the chickpeas and in the mixer blend them with the eggs.
Pour the obtained mixture into a bowl and add finely chopped parsley and Tropea onion, breadcrumbs (also gluten-free), grated Grana cheese, and mix.
No need to add salt if the chickpeas have already been salted during cooking.
The presence of cheeses will make the balls already quite tasty.
Once you have a homogeneous mixture, take a small part, shape it into a concave form, and add a piece of cheese in the center.
Close by creating a ball of about 2 oz each, roll in a small bowl containing sesame, and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and bake at 356°F (static oven) in the lower-middle part of the oven for 30/35 minutes, until golden.
If using a convection oven, reduce the temperature to 338°F.
The balls are thus ready. Serve hot and, if you like, sprinkle with turmeric.
Storage
In the fridge, well-sealed, for a couple of days.
In the fridge, well-sealed, for a couple of days.
Here is a selection of excellent products useful in the kitchen. Many of these have been personally bought and tested by myself. The list will be constantly updated.
To view the recommended products click here.
To view the recommended products click here.
