SPRING PEA FALAFEL
Serves 4
Although you’ll typically find that falafel are made with chickpeas, our English pea version is a delicious treat. The sweetness of the peas marries well with the herbs and spices, creating a subtle twist on a classic.
Use fresh peas in the spring and summer months when they are abundant. If you’re buying peas in their pods, you’ll have to shuck them in advance – simply pop them open and run your thumb or finger through to free the peas from the pod. A pound of peas in their pod yields 1 – 1.5 cups of peas. We suggest you purchase extra and enjoy the fresh peas as a snack.

INGREDIENTS
PROCEDURE
- 1/2 cup dried green split peas
- 1 1/2 cups fresh (or thawed frozen) peas
- 1/2 cup shallots, chopped
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Working in 2 batches, grind the split peas to a powder in a spice grinder. In a food processor, pulse the thawed peas a few times.
- Add the ground split peas, onion, flour, parsley, garlic, coriander, cumin, baking powder, cayenne, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt and process until thoroughly combined.
- Form the mixture into 12 falafel patties using a scant 1/4 cup per patty. Refrigerate until firm.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the falafel patties in two batches to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat until browned, crisp, and heated through, about 3 minutes per side.
- You can serve these immediately aside a fresh salad or in pita bread with your favorite hummus or a cucumber yogurt sauce with fresh mint. You can also store and reheat in the oven at 400 degrees for about 7-10 minutes.
More Recipes

Celebrating Climate Week with Spare Tonic
We’re celebrating Climate Week with our friends at Spare Tonic and their take on a Spanish classic, the “Spare Tinto”.

September Food Festival: Hot Sauce
This month we’re celebrating Preservation with Liz Neumark’s signature Hot Sauce recipe.

Sip Your Way Through Summer: Cocktail Recipes from our Venues
Sharing the perfect way to cool off this summer with our favorite summer cocktails brought to you by our Venue Managers.

August Food Festival: Tomato Jam
This month we’re celebrating Preservation with a Tomato Jam recipe brought to you by Chef Mike Deuel.

July Food Festival: Thunder Pickles
This month we’re celebrating Preservation with “Thunder Quickles” brought to you by Teen Students at The Sylvia Center.

June Food Festival: Berry Jam
This month we’re celebrating Preservation with a Berry Jam recipe brought to you by Pastry Chef, Albert Bello.

May Food Festival: Rhubarb Chutney
This month we’re celebrating Preservation with a Rhubarb Chutney recipe brought to you by our Culinary Director, Andrew Smith.

April Food Festival: Ramp Pesto
This month we’re celebrating Preservation with a Ramp Pesto recipe brough to you by our Culinary Director, Andrew Smith.