Falafels are delicious served warm or cold in a wrap with some grated vegetables and hummus. Try these tasty butternut squash ones, instead of the usual chickpea.Serves 4
Ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
- 1 tsp each cumin and coriander seeds, gently toasted in a dry pan until fragrant
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 3 tbsp freshly chopped coriander
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 4-6 tbsp gram flour
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 200˚C
- Toss the butternut squash with some olive oil and salt on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 mins or until the squash takes on a little colour and is cooked through.
- Meanwhile, using a pestle and mortar, pound the cumin and coriander seeds until finely ground. Add the cinnamon, garlic and a good pinch of salt and pound again to a paste.
- When the squash is cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Leave the oven on.
- Put the squash in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Transfer to a sieve to drain off any excess water for a few minutes. Put back in the bowl, add the spice mix, the coriander and lemon juice and mix together. Add the gram flour a tablespoon at a time until the mixture is still quite loose and sticky but holds its shape when scooped out. Using your fingers, take small scoops of the mixture and shape into falafels.
- Roast in the oven for about 15-20 mins, until they take on a bit of colour and firm up.
- To serve, arrange the falafel on a dressed salad.
- Leave the falafels to cool if you are using in a packed lunch.