Name: Green Baked Falafel
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups chickpeas, cooked; 4 cups green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, chard, or kale); 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp tahini; 2 tsp lemon juice; ¼ tsp ground cumin; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup whole wheat flour or oatmeal*

Falafel is a highly appreciated dish in the Middle East. It's typically made of chickpea or bean balls or croquettes that are fried and served with tahini sauce, hummus or pita bread. For a healthier version, this falafel is baked instead fried, and has green leafy vegetables for more nutrition.

1 ½ cups chickpeas, cooked

4 cups green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, chard, or kale)

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp tahini

2 tsp lemon juice

¼ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp salt

1 cup whole wheat flour or oatmeal**You can make your own oatmeal by blending oatmeal into flakes until it reaches the consistency of flour.

Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.

In a food processor, grind the chickpeas, green leafy vegetable, garlic, tahini, cumin, juice lemon, and salt until it becomes a smooth paste.

Transfer to a bowl and add enough flour to make a mixture thick enough to make the balls.

Taste the mixture and add more salt or lemon juice if you like.

Roll into balls the size of a golf ball and bake until golden brown—about 30 minutes. Half way through baking, flip the falafel balls so they are evenly browned on both sides.

Serve with hummus, salad, pita bread, or rice if desired.