Spiced raw garbanzo beans
May 27, 2011 • Category: Mezze/Appetizers
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
Belinda @zomppa says:
Better than popcorn! Love the spices and that crunch.
On May 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Dana says:
These just brought back childhood memories I never thought I had! 🙂 Are they in season now?
On May 27, 2011 at 7:11 pm
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
On May 27, 2011 at 8:02 pm
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.
On May 27, 2011 at 9:22 pm
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.
On May 27, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Simon says:
Sorry to say I’ve never seen them raw here in Japan. Will look harder now! Shukran!
On May 27, 2011 at 9:50 pm
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!
On May 27, 2011 at 11:26 pm
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. 🙂
On May 28, 2011 at 12:38 am
Jumanah (Healthy Liv says:
I love these! I’m lucky because we have street vendors all over the place that sell these here 🙂
On May 28, 2011 at 2:02 am
maja says:
🙂 I have never seen green chickpeas!!! Great recipe!
On May 28, 2011 at 2:20 am
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.
On May 28, 2011 at 5:19 am
Mark Wisecarver says:
Excellent. Try them coated with Japanese Wasabi too, I love them that way.
On May 28, 2011 at 5:40 am
Angie's Recipes says:
Those roasted garbanzo beans look so GOOD! Great clicks too.
On May 28, 2011 at 7:32 am
Joanne says:
When I get back to NYC I’m going to go hunting for these!
On May 28, 2011 at 8:34 am
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!
On May 28, 2011 at 9:13 am
Nadji says:
Encore une recette pleine de saveurs.
Je ne connaissais pas du tout.
A très bientôt.
On May 28, 2011 at 10:29 am
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!
On May 28, 2011 at 10:46 am
Susan says:
They are such a beautiful shade of green too! I’d love to find and try some.
On May 28, 2011 at 10:58 am
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!
On May 28, 2011 at 11:08 am
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!
On May 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Ivy says:
I’ve never seen fresh green chickpeas before. I would really love to try them the way you have prepared them.
On May 28, 2011 at 1:24 pm
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.
On May 28, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Maria @ Scandifoodie says:
What a fantastic idea! I must try this!
On May 28, 2011 at 7:43 pm
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
On May 28, 2011 at 8:52 pm
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.
On May 29, 2011 at 6:24 am
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,
On May 29, 2011 at 10:58 am
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.
On May 29, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Nuts about food says:
I had never seen raw chick peas before! I never even somehow thought about them being raw.
On May 30, 2011 at 1:37 am
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!
On May 30, 2011 at 11:25 pm
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!
On May 31, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Magic of Spice says:
These are so wonderful…will need to look for them 🙂
On June 6, 2011 at 12:34 pm
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!
🙂
Valerie
On June 6, 2011 at 12:45 pm