Chickpeas are one of the best foods you can eat!  Besides being a good source of protein, chickpeas are:

• high in fiber, which helps with the digestive system and keeps you feeling full.
• high in the trace minerals manganese and iron, which can both help boost your energy
• have a low glycemic index (GI), which helps stabilize blood sugar providing a steady, slow-burning energy
• are heart healthy as they can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol with their significant amounts of folate and magnesium
• contain phytochemicals called saponins that can act as antioxidants and may lower risk of breast cancer and may protect against osteoporosis

Chickpea Patty

For PDF copy of recipe, Chickpea Patty

Makes 4 patties

Ingredients:

•  1 medium carrot
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 green onions
• 1/2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 cups cooked chickpeas
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp. pecans, ground

Directions:

1. Place carrot, garlic, onions in a food processor until finely chopped.  Saute in oil until soft. Place in a large bowl until cool.
2. Place chickpeas and water in food processor and mix until a coarse mixture forms.
3. Add chickpeas and cilantro to cooled vegetables and mix together.
4. Shape into patties.
5. Lightly coat patties with ground pecans.
6. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

If you don’t have a food processor you can finely chop the vegetables and mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher.

Serve over a dinner sized salad and drizzle with your favourite dressing or enjoy with a whole grain bun.