Source: tuttodiabete.it

Presentation

A nutritious recipe, consisting of an appetizer or main course prepared with chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, lemon, cumin, turmeric, sesame seeds, extra virgin olive oil, salt

Ingredients

Serves 4

Dried chickpeas:  200 g (7 oz / ≈ 1 cup dry)

Garlic:  1 clove

Onion:  50 g (1.8 oz / ≈ ⅓ cup chopped)

Coriander:  to taste (≈ 1–2 tablespoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried)

Lemon juice: – from ½ lemon (≈ 1 tablespoon / 15 ml)

Ground cumi:  1 tablespoon (≈ 6 g / 0.2 oz)

Turmeric:  to taste (≈ ½ teaspoon)

Sesame seeds:  to taste (≈ 1–2 tablespoons / 10–20 g)

Extra-virgin olive oil:  20 g / 20 ml (0.7 fl oz / ≈ 1⅓ tablespoons)

Salt:  to taste (≈ ½ teaspoon)

Method

Start by soaking the chickpeas in water and let them sit overnight.

Drain them and boil them in plenty of salted water.

Drain the chickpeas and, “pinching” them, remove the outer skin.

Put them in the chopper to reduce them to a homogeneous puree.

Season the mixture with finely chopped coriander, cumin powder, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped onion and salt.

Mix well and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

When the mixture obtained has a good consistency, then take small portions and form the meatballs with your hands.

Dip the meatballs in the sesame seeds and place them on a baking sheet.

Season with a drizzle of oil and put in the oven at 170 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Allergens

Garlic: very rare cases of garlic reactivity reported

Chickpeas: contain proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals

Onion: possible reactivity in case of nickel allergy due to the vegetable’s ability to concentrate it

Coriander: possible cross-reactivity in case of allergy to Artemisia and Composites

Cumin: possible cross-reactivity in case of allergy to Artemisia and Composite

Turmeric: possible, albeit rare, cases of hypersensitivity or allergy to its components

Lemon: Lemon intolerance or possible cross-reaction in case of grass pollen allergy

Extra virgin olive oil: unusual allergy; intolerance not described

Sesame seeds: possible cross-reactivity in case of allergy to dried fruit

Notes

To be prepared and handled under strict hygienic conditions.

The ingredients of the dish bring the following benefits:

Garlic: has immune-stimulating properties, promotes liver function and the elimination of waste metabolites. It also has hypocholesterolemic, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, hypotensive and hypoglycemic properties that promote cardiac function.

Chickpeas: bearer of factors that promote the functionality of the immune system and regulate blood sugar and due to the content of mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants, it acts to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients and useful for the functioning of the liver for the contribution of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants.

Onion: it is rich in selenium which supports the immune system and with the ability to stabilize blood glucose at normal values; it provides quercetin, a flavonoid that helps contain cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, parameters related to cardiovascular risk, which also supports liver function by promoting the purification of the body. Also indicated for nephropathic patients, it is a good diuretic that prevents kidney stones. It provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

Coriander: useful in case of digestive problems also stimulating the appetite and able to alleviate tiredness and fatigue.

Cumin: the beneficial effects attributed by Indian medicine to cumin in case of diarrhea and kidney stones are not recognized

Turmeric: has anti-inflammatory properties, facilitates digestion and stimulates the immune system

Lemon: Rich in substances with antioxidant action: vitamin C, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, which promote the regeneration of liver cells, the functionality of the immune system and which act to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients and useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. A species that provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

Extra virgin olive oil: source of Vitamin E that protects the immune system from harmful fatty acids

Salt: essential for the balance of body fluids and for the transmission of nerve impulses, it is however to be consumed respecting the limit of 5 g per day according to the indications of the WHO so as not to promote arterial hypertension and consequent increase in the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases starting from myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke; to be limited as much as possible in the case of nephropathy.

Sesame seeds: source of vitamins and minerals, in particular B vitamins, potassium, iron and copper that promote hematopoiesis, fatty acids that support the cardiovascular system, vitamin E, selenium and manganese, polyphenols (antioxidants) that support the immune system. Rich in magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids important for regulating mood and cognitive function

Safety / Intended use

Also intended for individuals suffering from:

• Anorexia – Weight Loss
• Xerostomia  (dry mouth)

Not recommended in case of:

• Mucositis (inflammation and injury of the oral cavity)
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Dysphagia (problems chewing and swallowing)