Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a staple in a well-stocked pantry—they’re loaded with nutrients, easy to cook, and incredibly useful as a stand alone ingredient or an addition to many recipes.
What are Chickpeas?
Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans, are the seeds of the Cicer arietinum plant—a legume that’s been cultivated for over 7,000 years. These plants grow best in warm, dry climates and produce small pods, each containing just a few chickpeas. Once the pods mature and dry out, they’re harvested and further dried for storage.
Chickpeas are a key ingredient in cuisines across the globe, especially in the Middle East, India, and the Mediterranean. We love including them in our vegetable subscription box because they’re the perfect complement to the fresh, certified organic produce grown on our farm in Arlington, VA.
How to Prepare Chickpeas
We deliver dried chickpeas, which means they need a soak or simmer before they're ready to go.
How to Soak Dried Chickpeas:
Rinse chickpeas thoroughly. Cover them with water (3 cups water per 1 cup of chickpeas) and let them soak overnight, or 8 to 12 hours. Drain, rinse again, and simmer in fresh water until tender, usually 1 to 1.5 hours.
Quick soak method:
Rinse and place in a pot. Cover with water, bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let them sit for 1 hour. Drain, rinse, and cook as usual.
Ways to Use Chickpeas
Whip into creamy hummus with tahini and lemon (recipe below).
Roast with olive oil and spices for a crunchy snack
Stir into soups, stews, and curries
Simply season and toss them with Area 2 Farms greens—microgreens or shoots, Superfood Blend, Kale Mix, or Arugula Mix—to make a filling salad.
Simple, Creamy Hummus Recipe
Making hummus at home means it will have no additives or preservatives, just simple ingredients. Here is an easy hummus recipe with some tips on how to make the consistency perfect.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked chickpeas
¼ cup tahini
2 tbsp olive oil
1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 small garlic clove
2–4 tbsp cold water
Salt to taste
Instructions
Add chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt to a food processor or blender.
Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired creamy consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning—more lemon, garlic, or salt if needed.
Tips for Ultra-Creamy Hummus
Peel the chickpeas: Pinch off the skins before blending (optional but makes it silkier).
Blend tahini and lemon juice first: This helps emulsify the mixture before adding chickpeas.
Use cold water: It fluffs up the hummus as it blends.
Blend longer than you think: Let it run for 1–2 minutes until it’s super smooth.
Chickpea Health Benefits
Helps digestion: High in fiber for better digestion and gut health.
Great source of protein: Plant-based protein–good for muscles, bones, and skin.
Vitamins and minerals: Packed with iron, magnesium, folate, and other key nutrients.
Chickpea Facts
Chickpeas are the key ingredient in falafel, a recipe with roots in ancient Egypt.
India grows the most chickpeas in the world!
The liquid from cooked chickpeas, called aquafaba, works like egg whites for vegan baking and cooking.
Area 2 Farms for Locals
Your food should be equally accessible and nutritious. Which is where we come in. We’re Area 2 Farms, we grow fresh, organic produce, deliver it to your door weekly, and operate all within 10 miles of you.
