Revithokeftedes (Chickpea patties)

Ingredients:

· 1/2 kilo chickpeas, preferably without skin
· 1 big onion or 4 - 5 spring onions, finely cut
· 1 cup of parsley, finely cut
· 2 spoonfuls of dried mint or fresh
· 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
· salt
· pepper
· 2 eggs (optional)
· 2 table spoonfuls of flour
· Extra flour for dredging
· Olive oil for frying


Directions:

Soak the chickpeas in water overnight. Drain, add fresh water and bring to a boil. Skim all the foam that forms with a slotted spoon and then drain. Put them in the pot again and add water and remove any chickpeas skins which will float on the surface. Put them back on the heat and when they boil add salt and simmer until they become soft. This may take 1 - 2 hours depending on the quality of the chickpeas.

Drain and mash with a fork. I do not mash them in a food processor as we want some small bits of chickpeas in the patties.

Grate the onion or finely cut the spring onions and the parsley, add all the remaining ingredients except the flour for dredging and mix well.

Shape them into round patties, dredge them in flour and fry in hot olive oil. Remove on kitchen paper to absorb excess oil and serve as a side dish.

I could not resist reserving some of those chickpeas with hoummous which I have allready posted.