This Chickpea tuna salad recipe is definitely one of my favorite not-tuna recipes. I have shared it with friends and family alike and they can’t believe it is Not Tuna.

Chickpeas go by a variety of names across the world. Garbanzo beans, a popular term in the United States, Bengal grams, Egyptian peas, Ceci beans, and Kabuli chana are some of the other names. Chickpeas are available in a wide range of varieties and colors, not just the beige variety seen in cans. Chickpeas come in a variety of colors, including black, green, red, and brown.

Their nutty flavor and gritty texture complement a variety of cuisines and seasonings. Chickpeas, which are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, may help you lose weight, improve digestion, and lower your risk of disease. Furthermore, this bean is high in protein and can be used to replace meat in a variety of vegetarian and vegan meals.

Why are chickpeas called chickpeas?

Chickpeas have been grown (or at least consumed) in the Middle East for 10,000 years, dating back to the ninth millennium BC, but we get our name from a much more recent tangle. The Latin word “cicer” whence Cicero got his name since his family grew chickpeas led to “pois chiche” in modern French, which we borrowed from across the English Channel and altered to “chich-pease.”

Then, as is customary for English speakers, we fouled things up. “Pease,” like “wheat” or “corn,” was both singular and plural in Old and Middle English. However, due to its unfortunate resemblance to a plural (what with that “s” at the end), many in the 17th century mistook a single grain of pease for a “pea,” giving rise to chickpea as we know it today.

Chickpea Salad Recipe

Chickpea salad is simple to prepare and takes a little time. It’s ideal for lunch because chickpeas are high in protein and keep you full for hours.

Did you know the facts about chickpeas?

• Chickpeas have a simple or branched stem that can grow to be between 8 and 20 inches tall.
• Chickpea leaves are pinnate, with 5 to 7 pairs of leaflets. The leaves are green, serrated on the margins, and hairy.
• Chickpeas are a good source of fiber and protein. It contains B6 and B9 vitamins, as well as minerals including iron and magnesium.
• Chickpeas can be eaten as a snack (roasted chickpeas), a dip (mashed chickpeas), or a component of a variety of salty and sweet recipes. Chickpea flour is widely used in India.
• Asian cuisine uses the plant’s green portions and immature pods.
• During the 18th century and the early twentieth century, roasted chickpeas were utilized as a coffee substitute in Europe (during WWI).
• Chickpea stems, leaves, and pods secrete a fluid containing malic and oxalic acids. These aphrodisiac chemicals can be used to treat bronchitis, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, warts, and hypercholesterolemia. In Chile, a cooked mixture of milk and chickpeas is used to treat diarrhea in babies.
• Chickpea leaves are used in the production of blue (indigo-like) dyes.
• In the textile business, chickpea starch is used to impregnate silk, wool, and cotton fibers.
• Every year, 90 million tons of chickpeas are produced. India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of chickpeas.
• Chickpea is an annual plant, which means it goes through their entire life cycle in a single year.

What are the benefits of eating Chickpeas every day?

• Chickpeas have a moderate calorie count and a variety of vitamins and minerals. They’re high in fiber and protein as well.
• Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber, which can help you feel fuller and longer and eat fewer calories.
• It is a high-protein food that can help you lose weight and improve your bone health. People who do not consume animal products would like this legume.
• Chickpeas’ fiber and protein content, as well as their low-calorie density, may aid with weight management.
• Chickpeas have a low GI and are high in fiber and protein, both of which help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
• Chickpeas are high in fiber, which aids digestion by promoting regular bowel movements and boosting the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
• It may help prevent heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, among other chronic disorders.
• It is high in choline, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, all of which are beneficial to brain health.
• Chickpeas are an excellent source of iron and may help to prevent anemia.
• Chickpeas are inexpensive and delicious in a variety of cuisines. They’re the major ingredient in hummus and, because of their high protein level, they’re a superb meat substitute.

Bottom line

Chickpeas aren’t just a tasty addition to hummus or a delicious addition to chili.

They’re also extremely nutritious, containing vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. These features may help you manage your weight, blood sugar, and brain health while lowering your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Try roasting chickpeas as a snack or adding them to a salad to get started.

I do have this recipe on YouTube, and you may enjoy seeing me make it. Thanks so much for your support of our blog.