Tamia (South Sudanese Falafel)
Local name: طعمية
In short: Crisp fritters of ground soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic and fresh herbs, fried until deep brown outside and green and fluffy inside. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 12 h 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Tamia is the South Sudanese name for falafel: crisp fritters of ground chickpeas, onion, garlic and fresh herbs. They are fried until deeply brown outside and bright green and fluffy inside, then eaten warm with flatbread, a tomato salad or hot sauce. Use soaked dried chickpeas, never canned, so the mix holds together and stays light. Make the mix a few hours ahead for easy frying.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked chickpeas well and pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Put the chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse in short bursts to a coarse, crumbly mixture that holds together when squeezed, like damp couscous. Do not purée it.
- Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill for 30 minutes. Stir in the baking soda.
- With wet hands, shape heaped tablespoons of the mixture into balls or small patties, about 3 cm (1 1/4 inches) wide.
- Pour 5 cm (2 inches) of oil into a deep pot and heat it to 175°C (350°F). Fry 6 to 8 fritters at a time for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until deep golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels. Break one open to check that it is cooked through, green and fluffy.
- Serve warm with a tomato and cucumber salad, flatbread and hot sauce.
Tips
- Never use canned or cooked chickpeas. The mixture turns mushy and the fritters fall apart in the oil. Soaked dried chickpeas, or dried split fava beans, give the right texture.
- Test-fry one fritter first. If it breaks apart, stir 1 to 2 tbsp of chickpea flour into the mixture and chill it for another 15 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I bake tamia instead of frying?
Yes. Brush the shaped fritters with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once. They will be drier and less crisp than fried ones.
Can I freeze tamia?
Freeze the shaped, uncooked fritters on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry from frozen, adding 1 minute to the cooking time.
Is tamia the same as falafel?
Tamia is the Sudanese and South Sudanese name for falafel. Herbs and spices vary from cook to cook, but the method of frying coarsely ground soaked beans is the same.
How long does it take to make Tamia (South Sudanese Falafel)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tamia (South Sudanese Falafel)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 47 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 47 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 590 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
