Chickpea-Vegetable Croquettes with Tahini-Vegetable Sauce

These croquettes are somewhat similar to the Middle Eastern falafel balls. They are wonderful and refreshing when topped with the Tahini-Vegetable Sauce. We enjoy them most when served with couscous or pita bread and steamed vegetables such as green beans or cauliflower, or grilled eggplant. Olives are a must!

MAKES: 12

INGREDIENTS:

TAHINI-VEGETABLE SAUCE

• 1 cup tahini
• 1/2 cup water
• juice of 2 lemons
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 cup diced tomato

CROQUETTES

• 6 cups water for soaking
• 6 cups water for cooking
• 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 carrot, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 stalk celery, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• vegetable oil for sauteing
• bread crumbs

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. For Sauce:In a blender, mix together tahini, water, and lemon juice until smooth.
2. In a bowl, combine tahini mixture, garlic, parsley, salt, diced cucumbers, and tomatoes.
3. You may need to adjust water and lemon juice to get a nice sauce consistency, depending on the kind of tahini you use.
4. In 6 cups water, soak chickpeas overnight or for at least 3 hours. Drain chickpeas, discarding soaking liquid.
5. In a large pot, cover chickpeas with 6 cups water. Bring them to a boil, and then lower heat. Let chickpeas simmer, covered, until tender, approximately 1 1/2 hours. Check them occasionally to see if they need more water.
6. Drain and mash chickpeas when tender. A food processor works well, or mash them by hand.
7. Saute onion, carrot, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat.
8. Combine mashed chickpeas, sauteed vegetables, spices, salt, and egg. Stir well. If mixture is too wet, add up to 1/2 cup bread crumbs.
9. Form croquettes, making them about 2 inches in diameter. Saute in hot vegetable oil until well-browned on both sides.
10. Serve with Tahini-Vegetable Sauce.