Tamiya (Sudanese Chickpea Fritters)
Local name: طعمية
In short: Crisp fritters of ground soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley and cumin, fried until deep golden. A Sudanese snack for sandwiches or salads. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 12 h 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Tamiya is a Sudanese fried patty of ground chickpeas, crisp outside and bright green and fluffy inside with parsley, coriander, garlic and cumin. It is made from soaked, uncooked chickpeas ground to a coarse paste, never from canned ones, which would turn the paste soft and make the patties fall apart. Tamiya is a popular breakfast and street snack, tucked into flatbread with salata aswad, tomato and hot sauce or eaten on its own.
Instructions
- Cover the chickpeas with plenty of cold water and soak for 12 hours or overnight. Drain very well and pat dry. Do not cook them.
- Grind the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley and coriander in batches in a food processor, pulsing to a coarse, damp paste that holds when squeezed. It should look like wet sand, not a purée.
- Mix in the cumin, ground coriander, salt, pepper, baking powder and sesame seeds. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- Wet your hands and shape the mixture into about 20 patties, each 5 cm (2 in) wide and 1.5 cm (1/2 in) thick, pressing firmly.
- Heat 5 cm (2 in) of oil in a deep, heavy pan to 175°C (350°F). Fry 5 or 6 patties at a time for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until deep golden brown and cooked through in the center.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm, on a plate with salad and hot sauce or tucked into flatbread.
Tips
- Use dried chickpeas soaked overnight, not canned or pre-cooked ones. Canned chickpeas are too soft and wet and make fritters that fall apart in the oil.
- Fry a test patty first. If it breaks up, mix 1 tablespoon of chickpea flour into the paste; if the patties feel dense, add a splash of water.
Questions and answers
Can I bake tamiya instead of frying?
Yes. Brush the patties 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.
Why are my fritters falling apart?
The paste is probably too wet or too smooth, or the oil is not hot enough. Drain the chickpeas well, grind only to a coarse crumb and fry at 175°C (350°F).
Is tamiya the same as falafel?
They are very similar. Both are fried patties of ground soaked legumes and herbs, and names and recipes vary by region and by cook.
How long does it take to make Tamiya (Sudanese Chickpea Fritters)?
About 50 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tamiya (Sudanese Chickpea Fritters)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 13 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 860 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
