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Malana
Malana: bunches of fresh green chickpeas roasted over embers and eaten from the pod
Late winter and spring bring malana, whole chickpea plants with their fuzzy green pods still attached, to market stalls in Upper Egypt and across the country. Sellers and families roast the bunches over embers until the pods blister and blacken in spots, and everyone sits around pulling them off the stalks and popping out the hot, sweet, slightly smoky peas, a little like a cross between fresh peas and chestnuts. Look for them at Middle Eastern or South Asian grocers in season, sold as green chickpeas on the stem. The mistake is leaving them over the heat too long, which turns the peas dry and mealy. Chef's tip: sprinkle the hot pods with salt and a few drops of water, which steams the peas inside.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ lb fresh green chickpeas on the stemin bunches, pods attached
- 1 tsp flaky salt
- 2 tbsp water
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Light a charcoal grill and let it burn down to glowing embers, or heat a heavy cast-iron pan over a high heat for about 5 minutes until very hot.
10 minStep 2: Shake off any soil, rinse 2 ¼ lb fresh green chickpeas on the stem quickly and pat dry.
Step 3: Lay the bunches over the embers or in the dry pan and roast, turning with tongs, until the pods are blistered and charred in spots and the peas inside are bright green and tender.
8 minStep 4: Pile onto a tray, sprinkle with 2 tbsp water and 1 tsp flaky salt and cover with a cloth for 2 minutes so they steam.
2 minStep 5: Eat warm, pulling pods from the stems and pressing out the peas with your teeth.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 130 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 21 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does malana take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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