{Weekend Herb Blogging}
My MIL must have thought I was mad. We were passing this grocery store and I screamed so happily seeing a few branches of fresh chickpeas for sale. “How can you be excited about vegetables?”, she asked. “Ah. You!”.
Yes, me! Over the years, I´ve grown to love the more common dried (and canned) varieties and used them in soup, salad, dips… But holding fresh chickpeas in my hands was something different. In the pods, they looked nothing alike the chickpeas I had always known. Actually, the shape was quite cute, resembling the shape of chicken (hence the name chickpeas? Just my guess). Anyway, as soon as I removed the pods, a familiar shape appeared. Chickpeas!
Fresh chickpeas can be enjoyed raw. I, however, found that the taste is a bit too raw and `grassy´ for my palate. If you like eating raw bean sprouts or the likes, that won´t be a problem. Not for me though.
So, I steamed the pods minimally then sprinkle them with a mixture of spiced Sichuan salt. I normally did this with frozen whole edamame, but with chickpeas, it was just as brilliant.
This is my first 2011 post! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I´m sending this post to Weekend herb blogging, hosted by Haalo of Cook (almost) anything at least once.
Fresh chickpeas: just wash and steam them briefly. Then, sprinkle with Sichuan spiced salt.
Sichuan spiced salt: in a skillet, roast 1 tablespoon of Sichuan pepper until fragrant. Mix in with three tablespoons of rock sea salt, and pound with a mortal and pestle until you get a fine texture. This will keep well in an air tight container.
I've never seen fresh chickpeas before, so like you I'd scream with delight if I spotted them. Lovely, lovely idea Anh.
Oh my goodness, fresh chickpeas! That is awesome. As you can see I share your excitement.
I don't think I have seen fresh chick peas! Thanks for sharing this and happy new year!
Happy New Year Anh! I would have screamed at the sight of fresh chickpeas too, as I've never had the chance to eat one!
I'd love to try those.
These are one of my staple during winter in Rajasthan, India. Love to sit outside and do the peeling and popping of the chickpeas.
Happy New Year to you an your family Anh! What a lucky find, I've never seen raw chickpeas and you can bet I would be screaming, or at least squealing too. I never thought I'd grow from picky vegetable eater to someone who gets excited over green stuff
Oh, I would absolutely shriek too if I ever saw fresh chickpeas in Canberra! I love them roasted, fried, in soups, pureed… I know I'd love them freshly steamed too
Happy New Year!
I only saw fresh chickpeas once at the market before, but I passed them up since I didn't know how to prepare them. If only I had known they were so easy! I'm going to keep an eye out for them from now on.
What a delicacy – maybe they are an acquired taste – glad you found a way to enjoy them – must remember this if I am ever lucky enough to find some
Such pretty photos..I get excited when I see and can buy something new too..food wise..Thanks so much for the tip of making the salt..I just made Christmas Tree salt..you would think I could have thought of your brilliant idea..I love S peppercorns.
I've never seen a fresh chickpea before. Thanks for sharing.
Wow..those pods look beautiful.I can imagine your excitement seeing those ! We get a fresh variety back in India during winters and its used for making some yum curries! But here if I would have seen them I think I would have also screamed like you
Happy new year! What a wonderful way to begin, with fresh chick peas. I've never tasted them.
i just saw fresh chickpeas as the pakistani store the other day, but didn't know what to do with them. thanks for this lovely idea!
Oh my, I absolutely know what you mean, Anh…I would love to be able to find fresh chickpeas! Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
Just stumpled onto your blog love it! Happy New year!
Hi Anh, thanks for the info! I have never seen fresh chickpeas before. At least now I know what they look like!! Where did you buy them? cheers deb
I've never seen fresh chickpeas, where did you find them?
Fresh chickpeas! I have never, ever, ever seen them before (and would have had no idea what they even looked like). So cool!
What a great idea to steam them Anh…happy new year!
Smile. I get excited about vegetables and fruit too. I have never tried fresh chickpeas before, but they sound and look amazing! Such a simple preparation…I would devour the whole bowl. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Please have a happy and joyous week!
Happy New Year to you, Anh! I love your shot of the bowl by the window. It's my first time seeing fresh chickpeas, so thanks for this. I would have walked past the grocery shop and not know!
That's great! I've never tried fresh chickpeas, but would love to give them a go
Happy New Year Anh!
Fresh chickpeas? Where did you find them?? I will have jumped for joy as well.
Wow, this is the first time I see fresh chickpeas, interesting looking!
I will have to look out for those fresh chickpeas!
Happy new year to all!
HAHA funny girl! Happy new year to you too, hope 2011 brings a delicious one!
Fresh chickpeas, how lovely! I've never had them before, my goodness! I would have squealed in delight too! I love bean sprouts so I'm sure I'd love these. Happy New Year
Looks simply delicious! I hope I can find fresh chickpeas too!
I love your simple preparation of this rare treat. Like edamame, no? Happy New Year, dear!
I've never seen fresh chickpeas before… but if I ever do, I'm totally following your lead on this one. Brilliant!
My gosh, that top shot of chickpeas looks AMAZING! Love it!
A very Happy, Joyous and Healthy 2011 for you, dear! I have never seen these before! Fascinating!
Gorgeous photos! I have actually missed fresh chickpeas at our farmers' market: they were available only one day. I hope to have better luck this year.
i've never seen fresh chickpeas before. this is quite cool to see really. thanks for sharing anh!
I've never seen fresh unshelled chickpeas before and wouldn't have expected that hairy translucent shell. Learnt something new today – thanks for the post!