Smashed Zucchini With Chickpeas And Peanuts Recipes

STEWED CHICKPEAS WITH TOMATOES AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Beans: In a large pot, combine the beans, the whole half onion, carrot, celery, whole garlic cloves, bay leaves and thyme bundle. Fill the pot with water to cover the surface of the beans by 2 inches. DO NOT add salt here! Adding salt at this point can prevent the beans from cooking and make the skins of the beans tough or make them break. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour and then do the "5 bean" test. Bite 5 beans, if they are all properly cooked, continue on, if not cook the beans for another 10 to 15 minutes and try again.
• When the beans are cooked, turn off the heat and season the water abundantly with salt. This will allow the beans to absorb seasoning without making the skins tough. Let the beans sit in the salted water for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme and bay leaves. Reserve 1 cup of bean cooking water, strain the beans and set aside.
• Stew: (This can be started while the chickpeas are cooking! Multitasking! Woohoo!)
• Coat a large wide pot with olive oil, then add the diced onions, salt, to taste, crushed red pepper, ground cumin and fennel seeds. Bring the oil to a medium heat and cook the spices until they are very aromatic and the onions are soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the 2 smashed garlic cloves and cook another 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, and zucchini. Season with salt and taste, adjust the seasoning if needed (it will). Cook the tomato-zucchini mixture for about 15 minutes. Add in the cooked chickpeas and reserved bean cooking water and simmer until all the bean water has evaporated and the mixture looks like a stew, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the stew to a serving bowl and serve immediately or at room temperature.
• Hey chickpea!

SAUTéED ZUCCHINI & CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat oil and butter in a deep (preferably non-stick) pan over a medium heat until it begins to foam.
• Add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until slightly browned.
• Add the chickpeas.
• Place a circle of non-stick baking paper directly on the surface of the zucchini and chickpeas. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 8 minutes or until the zucchini is soft. Taste, and season with salt and pepper.
• To transport: Cool then place in an airtight container.
• To re-heat: Heat sautéed zucchini and chickpeas in a deep pan over a medium heat, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheating: Spoon the zucchini and chickpeas into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with lid or plastic wrap and heat on medium, stirring every minute, for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.

ZUCCHINI WITH CHICKPEA AND MUSHROOM STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a shallow baking dish.
• Scoop out the flesh of the zucchini; chop the flesh and set aside. Place the shells in the prepared dish.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions for 5 minutes, then add garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Stir in chopped zucchini and mushrooms; saute 5 minutes. Stir in coriander, cumin, chickpeas, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into zucchini shells.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until zucchini are tender.

SPICED CHICKPEA AND ZUCCHINI SAUTE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add garlic, coriander, and cumin; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, chickpeas, zucchini, and 1/2 cup water; season with salt and pepper.
• Cover skillet; simmer mixture over medium-high heat, stirring, until zucchini is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, as desired, and serve.

SMASHED ZUCCHINI WITH CHICKPEAS AND PEANUTS

Steps:

• Trim the zucchini ends and slice lengthwise into quarters. Position cut sides down, then smash with the side of your knife until craggy and split. Rip into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces. Transfer to a colander set in the sink, then toss with the sliced jalapeño, lime juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Let drain while you cook the chickpeas.
• Heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chickpeas and peanuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas are lightly browned and crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the lime zest, sumac and a sprinkle of salt. Stir until fragrant, then taste and add more salt as needed.
• Shake the zucchini to get rid of any excess liquid, then transfer to a platter or plates. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then top with the chickpeas. Get a spoonful of everything and taste. Add salt and a squeeze of lime until flavors are bright and zingy. Serve warm or at room temperature (although the chickpeas will become less crispy as they sit with the wet ingredients).