Guasanas Mexican Fresh Chickpeagarbanzo Snack Food

GUASANAS (MEXICAN FRESH CHICKPEA/GARBANZO SNACK)

Steps:

• Wash the chickpeas.
• Add the salt to the water.
• Heat a cast iron skillet or a griddle.
• Pour the salted water onto the skillet.
• Put the chickpeas, still in their pods, in the steaming water.
• Let steam for a few minutes, until the pods are bright green and a bit tender - test one to see if the chickpea is ready - you can even eat them raw, so they really don't need to cook much.
• Remove all the chickpeas in their pods from the skillet. Shell and eat as a healthy snack.

ROASTED GARBANZO BEANS/CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Drain garbanzo's in a strainer and rinse well with cool water. Shake to help remove water. Let sit to drain while proceeding.
• Cover a rimmed cookie sheet or shallow casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour garbanzos on the foil and spread them into a single layer. Take a few sheets of paper towel and gently press over the top of the beans just to remove any extra liquid- speeds cooking time too.
• Spray top of beans with cooking spray and sprinkle seasonings over the beans. Shake pan to help distribute the seasoning and make sure the beans are all in a single layer.
• Place pan in an oven and set to 350 F- no need to preheat. Use lowest rack on oven and return every 15-20 minutes or so to shake the pan so nothing burns. Be gentle or they may spill over the sides. Cook until beans are browned and crispy. About 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven and pour into a plastic bowl with tight fitting lid to cool. Careful they are HOT to the touch!
• Snack away! Keep these stored in the bowl for best freshness or in a ziploc bag.

CHICKPEA(GARBANZO) PATTIES

Steps:

• Put a medium sized, nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add the onion and carrot, and let them sweat for about 5 minutes, do not brown them. Then add the garlic to the skillet, and combine with the onion and carrot over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, and set the pan aside, leaving the ingredients to cool.
• Take the cooked chickpeas and place them into a blender, until they are no longer whole, the mixture should look a bit dry and crumbly. Place the chickpea mixture in a small bowl.
• Now take the vegetable mixture and combine it with the chickpeas. Also add the spinach, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together, until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
• Put the pan you used to sweat the onions on medium heat, and add a bit of oil, if you wish. I used less than a quarter of a teaspoon. Let the pan completely. Meanwhile, begin to form your patties with your hands. Grab about two tablespoons of the mixture and compact it, into the shape of a patty with the palms of your hands, flatten it a bit, gently. I ended up with three patties in varying sizes, so your yield will depend on how much mixture you use.
• Now that your patties are formed place them into the skillet, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about five minutes per side. Be careful when flipping your patties, because they might break.
• Serve your patties and enjoy! You can top them with ketchup, avocado, salsa, or whatever you like.

CURRIED CHICKPEAS OVER RICE

Steps:

• Cook rice per directions.
• Heat oil in a saucepan.
• Saute onions over medium-high heat.
• Add tomatoes once onions are soft. Smash the tomatoes in the pot.
• Add the curry powder and stir.
• Add coconut cream/milk and stir. (add a little more if you desire more sauce)
• Salt to taste.
• Reduce heat to medium-low.
• Add chickpeas, cover and simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve hot over rice.