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Falafel

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Falafel

Falafel has been a vegetarian staple for many years and a popular vegetarian meal during Lent. Originating in Egypt, falafel is a popular dish eaten throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

What is falafel? A Middle Eastern recipe that includes vegetarian/vegan chick pea or fava bean deep-fried patty that not only tastes great but is good for you!

Falafel is a garbanzo bean (chick pea) or fava bean fritter. Spiced garbanzo beans are soaked (usually overnight) and ground with fresh parsley, garlic, cumin and other spices and formed into balls or patties. Falafel is then deep-fried and usually comes served in a pita pocket or flat bread with tahini sauce, pickled vegetables, hot sauce and fresh vegetables including tomato, lettuce, cabbage and cucumber.

All over the Mediterranean falafel stands are as common as hot dog stands in the United States. Where are your favorite falafel stands located?

Updated: May 28, 2012

Contents at a Glance

Where to eat Falafel
Falafel Toppings
Where to eat the best falafel in the wor...
Falafel Scoop
Mediterrean Cooking-Tahini Sauce
What do you like on your falafel?

Of course if you find yourself in Israel you will have your pick of delicious falafel...in the United States try Mamoun's in New Haven or New York, Best Falafel in Colorado Springs.

in Paris the best falafel can be found in the Jewish neighborhood on Rue des Rosiers, called The House of Falafel or L'As du Fallafel.

Falafel Toppings

If you're going to Make Your Own Falafel here are some suggested toppings!

Lettuce
Cabbage Salad
Pickled Vegetables
Fresh Tomatoes
Tahini
Hummus
Baba Ghanooj
Fresh Sprouts
Hot Sauce or Harissa
Pickles

Where to eat the best falafel in the world

Plates of Traditional Food, Falafel, Babaghanoush and Shawarma, Egypt, North Africa

Plates of...

Upperhall Ltd

Buy This at Allposters.com

Best place for falafel in Colorado Springs: Freshly made falafel topped with tahini, harissa and house pickled cucumber. They also have a Super Falafel with hummus, onion and more!
Best Place for Falafel In Paris: Read Mark Bittman's New York Times article about the best falafel in Paris.

Falafel Scoop

Make Your Own Falafel? You'll need a restaurant quality falafel scoop!

Using a traditional falafel scoop gives you the best size and shape for even cooking.

Mediterrean Cooking-Tahini Sauce

Tahini sauce is the traditional sesame based sauce served on falafel.

For a basic tahini sauce recipe start with ground sesame seed paste or tahina and thin with water; flavor with granulated garlic, white pepper and lemon juice. Tahini is both vegan and vegetarian.

What do you like on your falafel?

Reply

gypsyman27 May 27, 2012 @ 2:21 pm | delete

I discovered falafel in Boston of all places, they had a restaurant that served middle eastern fare. You could order their wraps with lettuce, tomato, and a sauce they made from blue cheese. I make them myself now, you can buy the mix at the supermarket or make your own. I enjoyed this lens. See you around the galaxy...

Reply

intermarks May 27, 2012 @ 12:00 am | delete

This is my first time learn about falafel, It looks delicious and I am gonna try to make some. Thanks!

Reply

bakerwoman May 21, 2012 @ 10:49 pm | delete

I tried to make falafel years ago but it was not as good as the one from the falafel stand. It is great with pita bread, huumus and salad. Now I am hungry.

Reply

nightbear May 18, 2012 @ 1:04 am | delete

What's not like about this yummy dish thanks for the education and inspiration!

Reply

chris1402 May 7, 2012 @ 9:08 am | delete

I lived in Dubai for 10 years and eat these like they were sweets. mmmmmm
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Make Your Own Falafel!

Although not as good as fresh...falafel mixes are great to have in the pantry for a quick vegetarian meal.

Falafel Tweets

ericbsion May 31, 2012 @ 1:51 pm

I don't think I could ever get tired of falafel and schawarma.
thelowestdown May 31, 2012 @ 1:50 pm

it would be possible if i cut out everything except falafel. i cannot live without falafel. it is my medicine and part of my religion.
RoadToPalestine May 31, 2012 @ 1:50 pm

“@YouthAgnstNorm: Ok leaving the protest now and off to have that yummy Palestinian falafel http://t.co/Lc9QD4To”
isra_lee May 31, 2012 @ 1:50 pm

@Real_Liam_Payne we have the best Falafel and Shawarma in isrel we need you here !!!
KhawarShah110 May 31, 2012 @ 1:49 pm

RT @mozlamic: Have you ever seen a crime fighting, karate chopping, camel riding, basketball playing, falafel eating kung fu ninja fighter? That's me! :D
YouthAgnstNorm May 31, 2012 @ 1:49 pm

Ok leaving the protest now and off to have that yummy Palestinian falafel http://t.co/hhyEXnFm
isra_lee May 31, 2012 @ 1:49 pm

@NiallOfficial we have the best Falafel and Shawarma in isrel !! we need you here !!!
smilepaige May 31, 2012 @ 1:49 pm

@rofl_falafel @christyroboto7 haha I think that's on my google calendar. Can't wait
isra_lee May 31, 2012 @ 1:49 pm

@zaynmalik we have the best Falafel and Shawarma in isrel we need you here !!!
LironLoveJB May 31, 2012 @ 1:48 pm

RT @ReutBieber1: @justinbieber Israel Falafel Shalom Sababa
mozlamic May 31, 2012 @ 1:48 pm

Have you ever seen a crime fighting, karate chopping, camel riding, basketball playing, falafel eating kung fu ninja fighter? That's me! :D
yeltarpgraham May 31, 2012 @ 1:47 pm

Just ate the worst falafel ever. Today rules.
Falafel_Falcao May 31, 2012 @ 1:47 pm

Hola @ladygaga . Un trato, si me sigues te sigo ok, besis ♥ ;)
ReutBieber1 May 31, 2012 @ 1:47 pm

@justinbieber Israel Falafel Shalom Sababa
D_Roe101 May 31, 2012 @ 1:46 pm

Grabbing this quick lil Falafel from Cedars