Falafel

Falafel is a tasty food from the Middle East. It is made by grinding up chickpeas or fava beans with herbs and spices. The mix is shaped into small balls or patties and then fried until crispy. Falafel is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

How Falafel Is Made

Cooks soak dried chickpeas in water overnight. Then they grind them up with fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic, and spices like cumin. The thick mix is rolled into little balls. These balls are dropped into hot oil and fried until golden brown. The outside becomes crunchy while the inside stays soft.

How People Eat It

Falafel is often tucked inside pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce. This makes a filling sandwich. It can also be served on a plate with rice and salad. Many people who do not eat meat love falafel because it has lots of protein. You can find falafel shops in cities all around the world.

Fun Facts

• Falafel is the national dish of Israel.
• June 12 is International Falafel Day.
• Some places serve falafel with more than 10 different toppings.

Did You Know?

People have been making falafel for hundreds of years, and nobody knows for sure which country invented it first.