Delicious & Easy Greek Chickpea Salad Recipe

Chickpea is one of my family favorites and a go-to for many of my dishes, especially Greek chickpea salad; when I want a hearty, delicious, and belly-filling protein-packed meal. BTW, did you hear about the chickpea that got run over by a car? It was a case of hummuside. OMG, HAHA I almost falafel my chair when I heard. Ah-hem… let’s get back to the business of chickpeas.

Did you know the Chickpea is a legume that was used over 7500 years ago in the Middle East? Currently cultivated in over 50 countries, chickpeas are one of the most widely consumed legumes in the world. It is used by vegetarians across the world because it is a hearty and rich source of protein. The chickpea tree grows to be about 2 feet tall, it has fragile leaves and pods that have about two to three chickpeas each. Below is an easy vegan chickpea recipe that everyone will love. 

What Is the Difference Between Chickpeas and Garbanzo Beans?

Garbanzo beans and chickpeas are two names used synonymously and refer to the same bean. Chickpea or garbanzo bean both describe a plant in the legume family with the scientific name, cicer arietinum. 

Sharing different names in many cultures, chickpeas have been eaten in the Middle East for a very long time. Garbanzo happens to be the Spanish term while chickpea refers to the common English term. Most commonly, when we hear chickpea our mind might take us straight to falafel or hummus in Greek cuisine, the term chickpea came from the Romans.

So, whether you are on team chickpea or team garbanzo, it is safe to say that you are on the winning team because this mighty bean is jam-packed with tons of nutrients and can be incorporated very easily into your cooking.

Are Chickpeas Suitable for Vegans?

Easy answer, yes, yes, yes! Chickpeas are a dynamic, plant-based protein addition to many of the vegan dishes I make, like my Vegan Chickpea Salad. If you are new to vegan cooking, or even healthy snacking, chickpeas are an effortless ingredient to start with.

Are Chickpeas Good for Weight Loss?

To set the record straight, there is no magic pill for weight loss. But with healthy diet modifications, consistency, and the partnership of your doctor, healthy weight loss can be achieved. When attempting to lose weight, it is important to make the best use of your calories, so with their nutrient-dense superpower, chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. As a result, they help you stay fuller longer and help to control your appetite. Here is a quick rundown:

•     Low in calories
•     high in fiber
•     high in protein
•     a good source of folate, potassium, and iron

What Goes Well with Greek Chickpea Salad?

The question should be what doesn’t go well with chickpeas? Friends, I use chickpeas in my cooking ALL the time. It is such a useful ingredient; they are the star of the show on my Chickpea Salad Recipe, sprinkled in pasta dishes, I roast them for a crunchy snack, add them to my soups, add them to my curries like in my satisfying Curried Chickpeas Chana Masala or even blend them to make hummus or falafel.

How Do You Make Chickpeas Taste Better?

The mild, nutty flavor that chickpeas have makes them easy to enhance with a plethora of robust spices like chiles, paprika, fresh garlic, thyme, lemon pepper, cumin, and olive oil. Try making my Zaatar Roasted Chickpeas, a quick, healthy snack by drizzling chickpeas with olive oil, curry powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Roast for about 30 minutes in a preheated 400-degree oven until crispy. When the aroma starts to infuse your kitchen, you know it’s ready!

Health Benefits and Allergens: Greek Chickpea Salad

There are a multitude of health benefits to this Greek Chickpea Salad if prepared as directed.  Here are a few you can gain by using the ingredients in this dish:

•     Chickpeas- Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, chickpeas may improve digestion, help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of several diseases like cancer.
•     Tomatoes- A good source of Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin K, and Folate, and helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.
•     Cucumbers- This is 95% water, contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can aid in removing waste from the body, and can reduce swelling and irritation on the skin.
•     Kalamata Olives- This is a good source of iron, calcium, and copper and can improve heart health.
•     Parsley- Rich in antioxidants, supports bone health, and may improve heart health.
•     Olive Oil- Rich in monounsaturated fats, may prevent stroke, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
•     Lemon Juice- This is a great source of Vitamin C and can aid in improving digestive and heart health.
•     Oregano- It is high in antioxidants, can decrease inflammation in the body, and help lower cholesterol.
•     It’s healthy
•     It’s vegan
•     It’s grain-free
•     It’s gluten-free
•     It’s nut-free

 

Tag us @veggicurean and tell me what you love most about Greek salads!

-BON APPÉTIT!