One day before cooking, sort and rinse 500 g (about 1 lb) of chickpeas, then place them in a pot and cover with water. After soaking for 1 day, add a little more water to the pot and boil the chickpeas. Once cooked, drain through a colander. In the same pot, finely dice 1 onion and sauté in oil. Add 1.5 tablespoons of salça (Turkish tomato/pepper paste), stir to combine, then add the chickpeas. Cover with water, season with salt and Aleppo pepper flakes. Cook over low heat until the chickpeas are tender. Enjoy your meal.

About This Recipe

The homeland of chickpeas is known to be the Southeastern region of our country. According to some historical sources, chickpeas were cultivated in this region 7,000–7,500 years ago. In addition to being rich in starch and nitrogen, chickpeas are also an excellent source of plant-based protein, B vitamins, iron, calcium, phosphate, and phosphorus. Botanically known as Cicer arietinum — also called Chickpea or Pois chiche — chickpeas belong to the legume family. They have a deep taproot and are self-pollinating. The fruits are plump and oval-shaped, pointed at one end with fine hairs at the tip. Each fruit contains 1–3 seeds. The flower stalks bear blossoms that can be white, pink, or blue in color. The seeds develop inside pods known as "çakıldak" or "kapçık." Seed color varies and can range from white, cream, and yellowish to brown.

Some of the benefits of chickpeas are as follows: They strengthen the body. They are known to increase breast milk production. They are excellent for digestive system ailments and help soften the intestines. They are known as a natural diuretic and help reduce edema in the body. They lower the risk of heart disease. They reduce hot flashes experienced by women during menopause. They are a natural energy source. Thanks to their phosphorus content, they help strengthen bones and teeth. They help prevent depression. Consuming chickpeas regularly 1–2 times a week directly influences happiness hormones.

A shout-out to all the vegetarians — today we've prepared our Chickpea Stew recipe just for you. It's just as delicious as our Meatless White Bean Stew recipe. Bon appétit in advance...