Spicy Chickpea Patties with Cilantro, Lime, and Chilies

These delicious vegetarian patties are insane! This recipe comes from the Whole Foods cookbook and can be served as a side dish or as the main dish.

Ingredients:

1/8 cup canola or olive oil
1/2 medium red onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced (1 tsp)
1 jalepeno pepper, minced (optional if you don't like heat)
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp cumin
1 (15 3/4-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chickpea flour (if you don't have chickpea flour, try grinding some oats in a blender or coffee grinder for a quick substitute)
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
3 scallions, minced
Juice of 2 limes
Salt to taste

Directions:

In a large nonstick pan, heat the canola or olive oil over medium heat. Saute the onion, garlic, jalapeno, curry powder, and cumin for 3 minutes, until the onion is softened. Transfer the spice mixture to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a standard 5 blade, and process for 20 seconds, until coarsely chopped. Add the chickpeas, chickpea flour, bread crumbs, cilantro, scallions, lime juice, and salt.

Continue to process for 20 seconds more, until the mixture is coarsely chopped, well combined, and has fomed a thick paste. The paste should be firm enough to be scooped and shaped into small patties. After making the patties, lightly dust them with chickpea flour.

Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat and spray it with the vegetable oil. Saute the patties for 4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and heated through. For an even crispier patty, place one on a sheet pan for 10 minutes in the center of a 375 degree oven. Serve with a simple cucumber raita  (recipe below)

2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 small red onion, minced
1/2 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and minced
1/2 medium tomato, seeded and minced
1/2 serrano pepper, seeded and minced
1/8 cup minced fresh mint
1 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced (1/2 tsp)
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice.

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and let sit for 30 minutes before serving.