What is Falafel?

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 Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food consisting of deep-fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or a combination of both. It is characterized by a crispy, golden-brown exterior and a soft, often bright green interior flavored with fresh herbs and spices. 

• Main Ingredients: The base is typically soaked (but uncooked) dried chickpeas or fava beans.

• Levantine style (Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria) primarily uses chickpeas.

• Egyptian style (where it is known as ta’amiya) traditionally uses fava beans.

• Flavoring: The mixture is blended with aromatics like onions and garlic, and a heavy amount of fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and sometimes dill. Common spices include cumin and coriander.

• Texture: When prepared traditionally, the interior is light and fluffy—often aided by a pinch of baking soda—while the outside is crunchy. 

 Common Ways to Serve

Falafel is highly versatile and can be served as a snack, an appetizer, or a main course. 

• In a Sandwich: Stuffed into a pita or wrapped in flatbread with tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and lettuce.
• With Sauces: Almost always accompanied by tahini sauce (a sesame-based dressing); it may also be served with hummus or hot sauce.
• Mezze Platter: Served alongside other small plates like tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, and grape leaves. 

Dietary Benefits

Falafel is a staple for vegetarians and vegans as it is entirely plant-based. It is high in plant-based protein, fiber, and various micronutrients like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins.