The chickpea flatbread with agretti is the perfect union of simplicity and flavor, a rustic and genuine dish that originates from Ligurian tradition and gets a spring makeover with the addition of a vegetable as humble as it is special: agretti. Crispy on the outside, soft and tasty on the inside, this thin savory pie is naturally gluten-free and requires very few ingredients, but with a surprisingly delicious end result.
If you don’t know them yet, agretti (also known as monk’s beard or friar’s beard) are a typical spring vegetable. They appear as bright green strands with a fresh taste and a slightly bitter note that makes them ideal for simple and genuine dishes, such as salads or light side dishes. But in this recipe, they become the absolute stars, alongside sun-dried tomatoes and black olives, for an intriguing and fragrant variation of the classic chickpea flatbread.
Preparing this flatbread is really simple: start with a batter of chickpea flour and water, let it rest for a few hours, then enrich it with blanched agretti, sun-dried tomatoes, and black olives. Bake all of it in the oven until you achieve that irresistible golden crust, typical of flatbread, that smells of rosemary and spring.
Excellent both hot and cold, this flatbread with agretti is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, to be served as an appetizer, second course, or main dish. You can also enjoy it outdoors, for example during a picnic. A simple, healthy, and tasty dish that celebrates spring at the table! You’ll just have to try it and let yourself be won over by its rustic and genuine flavor.
Also discover:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 3 Hours
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 8 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring
Ingredients for Preparing Chickpea Flatbread with Agretti
- 1 3/4 cups chickpea flour
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 5.3 oz agretti
- 1.8 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1 oz black olives
- rosemary
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Tools for Preparing Chickpea Flatbread with Agretti
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Baking Tray
- Pot
- Oven
How to Prepare Chickpea Flatbread with Agretti
In a large bowl, pour the chickpea flour and add the water gradually, stirring with a whisk to prevent lumps. Cover the bowl and let it rest for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, stirring occasionally.
Remove the roots of the agretti and rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any soil residue. Boil them in salted water for about 5 minutes from the resumption of the boil, drain them, and run under cold water to maintain the bright color. Roughly chop them.
Remove the foam that has formed on the surface of the chickpea batter with a spoon, then add the olive oil, the agretti, sliced black olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Line a 10×18 inch baking tray with wet and wrung-out parchment paper, brush with oil, and pour the mixture, distributing it evenly. Bake in a preheated static oven at 428°F for 20-25 minutes, until the surface is golden and crispy.
Once the chickpea flatbread with agretti is out of the oven, let it cool slightly and cut into squares. Excellent both hot and cold, perfect for lunches, light dinners, or picnics!
Storage:
This flatbread keeps perfectly in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, stored in an airtight container. When ready to eat, you can enjoy it cold or warm it up in the oven or skillet for a few minutes.
Variants and Tips:
You can replace part of the chickpea flour with red lentil flour for a sweeter flavor and even creamier texture.
Customize it with your favorite herbs: oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage… each will give a different nuance.
Agretti can be substituted with asparagus, thinly sliced zucchini, or stewed onions.
For a bolder touch, you can enrich the batter with a sprinkle of chili pepper or add desalted capers.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use raw agretti in the flatbread?
Better not. Blanched agretti are softer and blend better with the batter.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, you can freeze it already cooked, cut into pieces. Just heat it directly in the oven or skillet.
Can the flatbread be prepared in advance?
Sure! You can prepare it even the day before and enjoy it cold or briefly warm it in the oven before serving.
What can I serve it with?
It goes great with a fresh salad, a vegetable cheese spread, or some slices of plant-based deli for a complete and light meal.
Here is your chickpea flatbread with agretti ready: a simple, healthy, and tasty dish that celebrates spring at the table! Just try it and let yourself be won over by its rustic and genuine flavor.
