25 Ene World Recipe: Chebtia
From Tunisian cuisine comes chebtia, a dish full of colour, aroma, and tradition. These green patties, made from fava beans, parsley, and spices, are part of everyday cooking in Tunisia and are often served with couscous, creating a fresh, nourishing dish with deep Mediterranean character. With humble origins, the recipe brings together simple ingredients that, once combined, offer a soft texture and a distinct spiced flavour typical of the Maghreb.
Ingredients:
250 g parsley
250 g dried fava beans
150 g soaked bread crumbs
4 onions
2 eggs
Flour
1 garlic clove
1 tsp turmeric
Extra virgin olive oil
Couscous
Salt
Black pepper
Preparation:
Soak the fava beans in cold water overnight. The next day, boil them in salted water, drain, and pass them through a grinder to remove the skins.
Process the garlic, onions, and parsley until finely chopped. Mix this with the fava bean purée and the soaked, squeezed bread. Add the eggs, salt, pepper, and turmeric, combining everything into a smooth mixture.
Shape the patties and let them rest for one hour on a floured surface. Then boil them gently for 20 minutes. Serve with hydrated couscous and a drizzle of olive oil; optionally, add some harissa for a spicy touch.
