Il Cucinologo
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Baked Chickpea Frittata

17/11/2023

The baked chickpea frittata is a simple and nutritious preparation, an excellent protein variant for those following a vegetarian diet or simply for those who love legumes. This is a basic version, but the beauty of a frittata is that you can customize it to your liking with other ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of cooked and drained chickpeas (if using canned chickpeas, rinse them well)
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 100 g of grated cheese (Parmesan, Pecorino or another of your choice)
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • A bunch of aromatic herbs of your choice (such as parsley, cilantro or chives), chopped
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste.
  • Optional: additional vegetables, such as spinach or peppers, chopped and sautéed

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a drizzle of oil and gently sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
  3. Add the chickpeas to the pan and let them cook for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
  4. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the cheese, salt, pepper and aromatic herbs. Mix everything well.
  5. Add the sautéed chickpeas to the egg mixture and stir gently.
  6. Pour the mixture into the pan, level it well and let it cook on the stove for about 2 minutes to set the bottom.
  7. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the frittata is golden and well cooked inside. You can check with a toothpick or a knife: if it comes out clean, the frittata is ready.
  8. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Besides being a complete and delicious dish, the baked chickpea frittata has the advantage of being served both hot and at room temperature, making it perfect for picnics or buffets as well.

Trivia

While in Italy the frittata is typically cooked first on the stovetop and then finished in the oven or under the broiler, in other cultures “frittatas” baked in the oven, like the Spanish tortilla or the French quiche, are completely cooked in the oven. The baked chickpea frittata follows this second method, making the dish even simpler to prepare.