Spiced raw garbanzo beans

May 27, 2011  •  Category:

 

When garbanzos get harvested, one can find them in Lebanon sold from street vendors on the side of the road, in big bushy bunches with their tender husks; people will buy them and spend a leisurely afternoon peeling them and eating them with a glass of arak or beer.


Here in the US, raw garbanzos are found in Middle-Eastern stores or hispanic stores, maybe even at farmer’s markets; since they are produced in the US, they can also be obtained from local producers.


Raw garbanzo beans are light and crunchy; no trace of starch here. Simply squeeze a lime on them and toss them in your favorite spices; paprika, cumin, turmeric, dry mustard, salt, black pepper, could all be used. Eat as a snack anytime.


Comments

32 Comments  •  Comments Feed

  1. Belinda @zomppa says:

    Better than popcorn! Love the spices and that crunch.

  2. Dana says:

    These just brought back childhood memories I never thought I had! ๐Ÿ™‚ Are they in season now?

  3. Marcela says:

    I think I am going to look for them!…..your description about the taste of them is tempting me!….Tomorrow, I have go to the Lebanese grocery store here….How do you call garbanzos beans in Lebano?……Abrazotes, Marcela

    • Joumana says:

      @Marcela: you say “hummus”.

      @Mark: What a grand idea! I love wasabi.

      @Dana: Yes, they have been selling them for a few weeks now.

  4. Verkin says:

    They are fantastic, we are able to find them at the Mexican supermarket.
    I’ll try the spices with lime, great idea.

    Thank you so much.

  5. Simon says:

    Sorry to say I’ve never seen them raw here in Japan. Will look harder now! Shukran!

  6. Edgard says:

    ahhh Hummus Akhdar!! I haven’t had it in ages. We used to buy them in bunches with their leaves/roots and just walk (kazdir) and have fun eating them.. so lovely!

  7. Krista says:

    How interesting! I’ve never had garbanzo beans raw before, but they look so fresh and inviting. Lime squeezed on top sounds wonderful. ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Jumanah (Healthy Liv says:

    I love these! I’m lucky because we have street vendors all over the place that sell these here ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. maja says:

    ๐Ÿ™‚ I have never seen green chickpeas!!! Great recipe!

  10. Susan says:

    I can’t think of a better way to slow the day’s pace than peeling and popping these little baubles in your mouth. On those infrequent occasions when they are available, there is always a plan to cook with them, but they never make it that long. Shall try spritz of lime next time. Very nice.

  11. Mark Wisecarver says:

    Excellent. Try them coated with Japanese Wasabi too, I love them that way.

  12. Angie's Recipes says:

    Those roasted garbanzo beans look so GOOD! Great clicks too.

  13. Joanne says:

    When I get back to NYC I’m going to go hunting for these!

  14. Faith says:

    These sound like a nice light snack to enjoy with a cold beverage. My hubby loves snacks that have to be peeled (like bizzer) so I bet he’d love these too!

  15. Nadji says:

    Encore une recette pleine de saveurs.
    Je ne connaissais pas du tout.
    A trรจs bientรดt.

  16. Steve @ HPD says:

    I just found these at the local Hispanic grocery, and I’ve been meaning to google up something to do with them. Did not know you could eat them raw. Very cool … thanks!

  17. Susan says:

    They are such a beautiful shade of green too! I’d love to find and try some.

  18. Claudia says:

    This is something I’ve always wanted to try and have never found them raw in MN. I must make a note to seek them out when I travel – you never know where they may turn up. Lucky you and street vendors!

  19. Tova says:

    Apparently, we occasionally get fresh garbanzos at the farmer’s markets here in the bay area, but I’ve never seen them. I am dying to try them!

  20. Ivy says:

    I’ve never seen fresh green chickpeas before. I would really love to try them the way you have prepared them.

  21. Doc says:

    Yummy, although those in the family with nut allergies are on the outs. THe raw beans remind me of a sim8ilar use of soy beans in Japan.

  22. Maria @ Scandifoodie says:

    What a fantastic idea! I must try this!

  23. rebecca says:

    wow this looks like an awesome snack, wish we had a good middle eastern store here, one thing I miss about living in Cleveland OH the only thing he he

  24. Denise says:

    I love these! I live in Astoria, nyc – and in the spring they can be found at all of the produce shops. I often blanch them lightly and add to salads and soups. Or just leave on the table for casual grazing.

  25. Hagit says:

    Here the name is “khamle malan”… means “full pod” usually sold in open markets after a quick toast over open fire which gives it a smoky sweet flavor,

  26. Christine @ Fresh says:

    I’ve seen fresh garbanzo beans at the market, but have never purchased them because I didn’t know how to prepare them. I also thought that they would be starchy. I’m looking forward to finding them at the market and trying them. It will be nice to taste the contrast.

  27. Nuts about food says:

    I had never seen raw chick peas before! I never even somehow thought about them being raw.

  28. Cristina says:

    I bought some fresh garbanzos beans and have been looking forward to using them. I had never seen them in the stores before until earlier last week. I’ve read other sites suggesting that they’re eaten raw with lime and spices and so glad to have found your post! Hope it’s something I’ll be able to find in the future too…love ’em!

  29. grace says:

    i’ve never tasted raw chickpeas, but as much as i like the mature form, i’m excited to consider the unripe version!

  30. Magic of Spice says:

    These are so wonderful…will need to look for them ๐Ÿ™‚

  31. A Canadian Foodie says:

    Of course, I have never had a raw garbanzo bean and you have definitely motivated me to search them out! Your description is mouthwatering. I have been in a huge blogging slump lately. Posted about 4 times since February, and have hardly read anything at all. I miss it, yet am so overwhelmed by how far behind I am that I find myself defeated when I look at all of the reads in my inbox daily. However, what inspiration!
    ๐Ÿ™‚
    Valerie

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