When most people think of garbanzo beans (or chickpeas), they think of the buff-colored legumes that come in a can. Fresh garbanzo beans, however, are green! When eaten raw, garbanzo beans taste similar to fresh peas. You can add them to salads, stir frys, or just pop them out of the shell and into your mouth. Packed with calcium, fiber and protein, garbanzo beans make a great and healthy snack. Fresh garbanzo beans aren't in season for very long, so when they are around, we like to make the most of them. Below are three of our favorite ways to enjoy fresh garbanzo beans.
FRESH STEAMED GARBANZO BEANS
Serves a crowd
Similar to edamame in eating style and flavor, steamed garbanzo beans make a great and fun-to-eat snack!
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound fresh garbanzo beans, in their pods
salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Set a steamer inside a medium-sized saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water until the water just touches the bottom of the steamer. Fill the steamer with the garbanzo beans, still in their pod. Cover with a lid and turn the heat to high. Steam the garbanzo beans for 5 minutes. Put the garbanzo beans on a plate and sprinkle the pods with sea salt. Pop the garbanzo beans out of their pods and into your mouth!
FRESH ROASTED GARBANZO BEANS
Serves a crowd
Fresh-roasted garbanzo beans are easy to eat by the handful. If you want to make this recipe, but don't have fresh garbanzo beans, canned ones work well too.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound fresh garbanzo beans, shelled (or canned organic garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed)
1 teaspoon olive oil
omnivore salt (or other seasoning such as chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, etc)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the shelled garbanzo beans onto a baking sheet. Pour the olive oil over the garbanzo beans and spread them around to coat. Sprinkle with omnivore salt if using, or salt and your other favorite seasoning. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Eat up!
FRESH GARBANZO BEAN HUMMUS
Serves a crowd
The flavor of this hummus is similar in flavor to hummus made with canned garbanzo beans, only fresher. If you don't have fresh garbanzo beans, you can sub with canned ones, just drain and rinse first.
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound fresh garbanzo beans (yields approximately 1 cup when shelled)
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed) paste
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt to taste
garnish (optional):
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
pinch sesame seeds
DIRECTIONS:
Steam the shelled garbanzo beans for 20 minutes. Make sure to check the water level if you're using a smaller pan so the water doesn't run out (refill as needed). Remove garbanzo beans from steamer and allow to cool. In a food processor or blender, pulse the cooked garbanzo beans a few times. Add the garlic, tahini paste, lemon juice and salt and blend. With the food processor or blender running, slowly pour in the water to your desired texture (add more water if you want your hummus a little more smooth). Pour into your favorite dish and garnish with olive oil, paprika and sesame seeds if desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables for dipping; spread it onto a sandwich. Dig in!
How To Add Fresh Garbanzo Beans To Your Delivery: CSA members - head on over to our online Farm Stand Market to customize your upcoming delivery. Market is open from noon on Thursday until 10 am, 2 days before your scheduled delivery day. After you confirm your produce items, click the orange button "Confirm and Continue To Other Farm Products" to add the products to your delivery.
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