Chickpea is a very popular legume in different regions.
Chickpea is a plant that belongs to the papilionaceae family group. The term also refers specifically to its seed , which is edible and highly appreciated for its nutritional properties.
Garbanzo is a word of pre-Roman origin, according to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). It is interesting to mention that the seed of this species, which is characterized by having a larger size and showing better quality than the traditional one, is called chickpea . A chickpea field , on the other hand, is a piece of land where chickpeas are planted.
Plant characteristics
The chickpea is a herbaceous vegetable whose height can be around fifty centimeters. With the scientific name Cicer arietinum , it is a legume : its fruit develops in pods, making it a legume .
The leaves of the chickpea are compound and have a serrated margin. The flowers , on the other hand, are pedunculated and whitish or violet in color. The pod fruit contains between one and three yellowish seeds with a diameter of one centimeter.
Chickpea in food
The yellowish seeds , also mentioned as chickpeas, have been consumed by humans for a long time. This food provides calories, fiber and unsaturated fats, helping to reduce the risk of suffering from intestinal disorders and providing a feeling of satiety.
It is estimated that chickpea cultivation began in Mesopotamia , Persia and Syria . The expansion of the Roman Empire contributed to its distribution throughout Europe , since chickpeas were part of the ration that soldiers received. To the American continent, meanwhile, it arrived at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors.
Nowadays, dried legumes are usually marketed. In this way, it is necessary to hydrate it and then cook it before consuming it. Chickpea flour is also popular, which is used in the preparation of multiple recipes .
Falafel, which is made with chickpeas, is a typical dish of Arab cuisine.
How to consume
There are many options when it comes to using chickpeas. This legume, once hydrated, can be stewed , baked or sautéed , for example .
Baked chickpeas can be consumed as an appetizer . A simple way to prepare them is to boil them and then put them in the oven with salt and spices such as turmeric, paprika and cumin. The idea is that they are crispy, but not hard on the inside.
In many countries, chickpeas are among the ingredients of stews , stews , stews , soups and salads . Even though it is not the most common, they can be used in sweet cakes and desserts .
Traditional recipes with chickpeas
The chickpea is part of many typical dishes of the Arab world. One of them is hummus or hummus , which is a chickpea cream that is seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil, tahini or tahina (sesame seed paste), paprika and garlic.
Falafel or falafel , on the other hand, is a type of meatball or croquette that includes chickpea paste, garlic, onion, parsley and different spices. Another traditional recipe, in this case from the Italian region of Liguria , is fainá , whose preparation involves combining chickpea flour, olive oil, pepper, salt and water and cooking the mixture in the oven.