Chickpea Fritters with Salsa Verde and Queso Fresco
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword vegetarian
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 2
Author Christine Ma
Ingredients
Salsa verde
1cupparsley
½cupolive oil
1tablespoonlemon juice
2clovesgarlic
1teaspoonlemon zest
1teaspoonground toasted fennel
½teaspooncoriander
½teaspoonred pepper flakes
salt and pepper
Chickpea Fritters
14ouncescanned chickpeasdrained and rinsed
¼cupall-purpose flour
3tablespoonschopped cilantro
2tablespoonssalsa verde
1tablespoonminced garlic
1teaspoonbaking powder
1teaspoonground cumin
½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
oilfor cooking
Remaining ingredients
¼cupcrumbled queso fresco
Instructions
Prepare the salsa verde. Add the parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, fennel, coriander, and red chili flakes in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is roughly chopped and combined. Season with salt and pepper. Alternatively, chop the herbs and garlic by hand and combine with the remaining ingredients. Set aside.
Meanwhile, prepare the chickpea fritters. In the same food processor, pulse the chickpeas until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until combined but not completely pureed. You still want some texture in the chickpea fritters.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Form chickpea mixture into balls about 2-3 tablespoons big. Lay in the pan and flatten into patties. Pan fry until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and repeat with remaining chickpea mixture, adding more oil as needed.
Drizzle salsa verde on top of chickpea fritters. Top with crumbled queso fresco. Serve immediately.
Notes
The salsa verde and chickpea fritter mixture can be prepared the day before. However, the salsa verde will dull in color over time.