Red Pepper Falafel

Falafel is an interesting blend of chickpeas, vegetables, and spices that are chopped up together, rolled into balls, and deep fried in vegetable oil. When asked today, people from many countries such as a Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon, and Israel would probably tell you that they are responsible for inventing falafel.

According to History Today, however, Egypt is the likely origin of the falafel that people are familiar with now and it might not be as old as you think. It was first mentioned in Egyptian literature as early as 1882 and seems to be linked to the British occupation of that time. As the troops had found a taste for fried vegetable croquettes in India, it is likely that their search for a replacement led to the locally-sourced chickpea falafel.

Ingredients

8 ounces dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, drained
1/2 onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 small red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 tablespoons chickpea flour
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2.5 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
1 teaspoon baking powder
Vegetable oil (for frying; about 8 cups)

Directions

1. Take the soaked chickpeas and pulse them in a food processor, scraping as necessary. After about one minute, they should resemble finely chopped nuts. Scrape everything into a large bowl.
2. Pulse the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in the food processor, until coarsely chopped, about one minute.
3. Add the chopped mixture to the chickpeas and then mix in chickpea flour, cumin, salt, coriander, smoked paprika, Hungarian sweet paprika, and baking powder. Mold mixture into ping-pong-sized balls.
4. Pour oil into a large pot – to at least three inches in depth. Heat the oil up to 330 degrees. Cook the falafel in small batches, turning occasionally, until deep brown and crispy. It will take about five minutes.
5. Transfer the finished falafel to a paper towel to drain.

These are great served alongside a bright cabbage slaw, tahini sauce, and pita bread!