Fresh Fava Bean Falafel With Florida Orange Cilantro Tahini Sauce
Ingredients
For Falafel:
- 2 lbs. fava beans
- ⅔ cup onion, diced
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup green pepper, diced
- ⅓ cup green onion, chopped
- ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp. minced garlic
- 1 ½ tbsp. fresh jalapeño, diced
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Florida Orange Juice
- ½ tsp. Florida Orange zest
- ½ cup tahini*
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp. cilantro
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- ½ tsp. cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup canola oil, divided
- 6 pieces of pita bread
- ½ cup cabbage, finely shredded
- ½ cup cucumber, cut into ½-inch cubes
- ½ cup tomato, cut into ½-inch cubes
- ½ cup onion, thinly sliced
Preparation
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fava beans in boiling water for about 10 seconds, then plunge into a bowl of ice water.
2. Cool fava beans completely, then drain and remove fava beans from pods. Discard pods.
3. Combine fava beans, onion, parsley, green pepper, green onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, and cumin in a food processor. Cover and process until a coarse paste forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through processing. Place falafel mixture in a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour.
4. To prepare Florida Orange Cilantro Tahini Sauce, combine all ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
5. Form falafel mixture into 1 ½-oz. patties and coat with breadcrumbs.
6. Heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté falafel patties on both sides until golden brown and crisp. Remove patties to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining falafel patties.
7. To assemble, warm pita bread in the oven. Cut pitas in half and split open. Place a small amount of cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions in the center of each pita. Top with 3 to 4 falafel patties and drizzle with Florida Orange Cilantro Tahini Sauce. Serve immediately.