California Walnuts Falafel and Tzatziki

Course: Entrees
Difficulty: Easy
Pulse Type: Chickpeas
Specialty Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Print

Ingredients

California walnuts falafel

  • 2 cups walnuts California
  • 2 1/2 cups chickpeas cooked
  • 1 tbsp garlic chopped
  • 1 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
  • 1 tbsp mint fresh, chopped
  • 1 tbsp cumin ground
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • pepper to taste
  • canola oil for frying

Tzatziki sauce

  • 1 cup yogurt Greek; 2%, plain
  • 1/2 cup cucumber peeled, seeded, coarsely shredded
  • 1/4 cup celery coarsely shredded
  • 2 tbsps lemon juice fresh
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsps walnut oil (optional)

Instructions

California walnuts falafel

  1. Whisk together all Tzatziki Sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth, being careful not to over mix.
  2. Process all falafel ingredients except oil in a food processor until well mixed.
  3. Form 24 small balls or patties and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  4. Fry in canola oil in large skillet for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown; drain on paper towels. Serve warm with Tzatziki Sauce. Falafel may also be placed on a baking sheet and brushed with foil; bake at 400°F for 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Optional assembly on flatbread or salad

  1. Grill flatbread on both sides to warm.
  2. Place walnut falafel on bread and smear with tzatziki. Garnish with chopped tomato, lettuce and cucumber. Top with chopped California walnuts and drizzle with walnut oil and olive oil, if desired.