Falafel

A Middle Eastern dish consisting of crushed chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) and spicy seasonings, such as cumin, coriander, cayenne, garlic and onion, that are blended together, rolled into walnut-sized balls or made into patties, and deep-fried or pan fried in shapes ranging from small 1 inch sized balls to circular patties. They are served as an appetizer with a sesame-based sauce called tahini, or served in pita bread as a sandwich filler and combined with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onion, and a dressing such as hummus or tahini. Also known as felafel or ta'amia.