Chickpeas

CHICKPEAS (or garbanzo beans) are part of the legume family along with beans and lentils. Round and tan-coloured, they have a subtle nutty flavour.  They are a great source of protein, fibre, and other minerals such as magnesium and potassium. They also contain phytochemicals and isoflavones, that can assist in preventing chronic diseases.

Find it in… your local supermarket or Middle Eastern grocery story. Canned chickpeas can be found in the canned goods aisle and dried chickpeas can commonly be found in the international foods section.

Use it … sprinkled over salads, cooked into soups, pureed to make hummus dip, mashed and shaped into falafel balls or roasted and mixed with your favourite spices for a quick protein-packed snack (1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas counts as a serve of protein). If you’re using dried, soak them overnight or for 8-12 hours to soften them up before boiling!