Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Chick peas introduction

I was first introduced to chick peas way back when salad bars first became a national phenomenon. Seems like a long time ago now, and since then I have enjoyed these tasty, protein-rich legumes cooked (or not) in a tremendous variety of ways. Chick peas go by a lot of names, including garbanzos, garbanzo beans, and (in India) chana or channa. You may also see it spelled as one word, "chickpeas."

In addition to tossing chick peas into your salads, you can cook them in soups and stews; mash some together, roll them into little balls and fry them to make falafel; cook them and grind them into a paste for some home-made hummus; or just roast a pan of them and sprinkle with salt or spices for a quick snack.

Chick peas defined

The chickpea, chick pea, garbanzo bean, Indian pea, ceci bean, bengal gram, hummus, chana or channa, kadale kaalu ( kannada), sanaga pappu (Telugu), , shimbra (Amarhic) (Cicer arietinum) is an edible legume (English "pulse") of the family Fabaece, subfamily Fabiodea. The garbanzo is often used as a source of protein by vegetearians and vegans since it has one of the highest protein levels of all plants.

Chick Peas in Italy

Chick peas are also a frequent ingredient in Italian dishes. They may be used to make pasta and beans. They are often added to marinated vegetables and may be part of an antipasto dish. They may also be recognizable as a staple in three-bean salad, which is comprised of green beans, kidney beans and chickchickchick peas and pickled with vinegar or stored in vinegar and oil.

CONCLUSION

A nutty flavoured pulse, chick peas are packed with vitamins, proteins and minerals and contain soluble fibre which can lower your cholesterol levels. Used in Mediterranean dishes, they can replace meat and be added to soups, salads and casseroles.