Chickpea Sundal is a popular South Indian snack made with legumes like chickpeas, black-eyed peas, or green gram (moong dal), flavored with coconut, curry leaves, and spices. It’s not only delicious but also nutritious. Here’s a detailed recipe for making chickpea sundal:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), soaked overnight
- 2 tablespoons grated coconut (fresh or desiccated)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or any cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
- 1-2 dried red chilies, broken into pieces
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- A few curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- Freshly chopped coriander leaves for garnish (optional)
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak Chickpeas: Rinse the dried chickpeas thoroughly and soak them in enough water overnight or for at least 8 hours. This will soften them and reduce cooking time.
- Cook Chickpeas: Drain the soaked chickpeas and rinse them again. Place them in a pressure cooker or a pot with fresh water. Cook until they are soft and cooked through. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 2-3 whistles. If using a pot, it may take around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain the cooked chickpeas and set aside.
- Prepare Seasoning: Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then, add urad dal and fry until it turns golden brown.
- Add Spices: Add dried red chilies, curry leaves, and a pinch of asafoetida (hing). Sauté for a few seconds until the spices become aromatic.
- Add Chickpeas: Add the cooked chickpeas to the pan. Sprinkle salt according to your taste. Mix well to coat the chickpeas with the seasoning.
- Final Touch: Add grated coconut to the chickpeas and mix well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves if desired. You can also squeeze some lemon juice over the sundal for an extra tangy flavor. Serve hot as a snack or side dish.
Enjoy your homemade chickpea sundal! You can also customize this recipe by adding ingredients like chopped onions, grated carrots, or roasted peanuts for extra flavor and crunch.
