Crispy gluten-free chickpea and butternut squash falafels on a bed of quinoa and arugula with an assortment of flavor-packed salad toppings: Quick-pickled beets, crispy fried shallots, crumbled feta, roasted peanuts, and a drizzle of tahini dressing.
Zoella has suddenly discovered that she has free will. Namely that she can say no by shaking her head. Doesn't she know her mama is the master of strong will though? Game on, Baby Z. My first word was no. Hers was cat. Who do you think will win?
On Monday Zoella LOVED butternut squash falafel. On Tuesday, she decided to test that new found free-will in the face of homemade falafel. She pursed her lips tight with a vigorous "no" head shake, eventually indicating with grabby fingers that she instead wanted to eat what I was eating (go figure).
So I outsmarted her and put her falafel bits into my bowl and pretended to feed her exactly what I was eating. And guess what? She loved falafel again. I mean, what's not to love? Falafel is amazing. I TOLD YOU SO, BABY Z.
Sadly she's figured out my tricks and this no longer works. Now she thrusts her arm out to block any incoming spoon, dramatically throwing her whole body in the opposite direction.
Up until now she's been an adventurous eater. This week, though, she's on a free-will hunger strike with cheese being the only exception, so I went ahead and put cheese on the falafels too. I'm not keeping score, but I think I'm losing to an 11-month-old.
But I'm okay as long as there are butternut squash falafels. And cheese.
These gluten-free butternut squash falafel salad bowls were inspired by Liba Falafels, my favorite lunch joint in Oakland that's sadly only open M-F and only for lunch. But you must go if ever you're in town. Unless it's a Saturday. Then you should make your own falafel bowl with all the salad fixings. And add butternut squash to the mix to keep things seasonal and spruce up your diet with some extra veggies.
Toasting whole spices and grinding them up imparts deeply roasted flavors that layer and layer and layer as you eat them. You definitely don't have to use all the toppings I've added here, but I highly recommend keeping those quick-pickled beets to counter the roasted falafels with something tangy and earthy.
Adding butternut squash and using of chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour makes the patties a little more moist and delicate than your standard falafel when it comes time to fry. I experimented with a variety of methods: big, small, flattened, round, a lot of oil, a little oil. What I've found works best to give them that pretty crisped shell around a tender fluffy filling is this: fry up firmly packed 1.5-inch balls in ¾-inches of super hot oil, flip, and repeat. Eat. Repeat.
Or make a double batch and freeze half for easy weekday lunch or dinner!
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked over night and drained (yields 2½ cups)
- 1½ cups shredded butternut squash, ex. the neck of a 2½lb butternut squash
- 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped (about 1½ cups)
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped parsley leaves and stems
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons each whole cumin seeds and coriander seeds, toasted and ground
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1-2 cups oil for cooking, olive oil, safflower oil, vegetable oil
- 1 medium beet, peeled and shredded
- ⅓ cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 1½ cups quinoa, rinsed
- 1¾ cups water or broth
- 2-3 large shallots, peeled and sliced thin
- Oil for cooking, I use remaining oil after cooking falafels
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 1 large lemon
- 2-4 tablespoons water, plus more if needed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cups arugula
- 3 ounces fresh feta, vegan, if needed
- ⅓ cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, prepare the quick-pickled beets. Add the beets to a 16oz mason jar. Pour the boiling water over the sugar and salt and stir to dissolve. Pour the vinegar into the water to cool it off slightly, then pour the entire mixture over the beets. Cover, shake, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Beets can be made several weeks in advance.
- Add all of the falafel ingredients (except for the oil) to a food processor and pulse until mixture comes together but is still grainy, about 100-120 times, scraping down the sides as you go.
- Form falafel dough into tightly-packed 1.5-inch balls (22-28 balls). if the mixture feels too moist, add a tablespoon or two of chickpea flour or press it in a cheese cloth.
- Heat ¾-inch of oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, fry falafel balls in batches, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain while you cook the rest. Falafels can be prepared in advance and kept in the fridge for a week or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Bring quinoa and water to boil in a medium sauce pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until the broth has been absorbed, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Meanwhile, prepare the crispy fried shallots. Heat the same oil you used to cook the falafels, or a small skillet with ¼-inch oil over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until they turn golden brown, about 5-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shallots to a paper towel-lined plate (they'll crisp up as they cool). Set aside.
- Prepare the tahini dressing by mixing all of the ingredients together in a food processor or with a whisk. If the tahini is too thick, add a bit more water until it can be drizzled.
- Assemble the bowls. Scoop of quinoa, handful arugula, 4 falafels, scoop of pickled beets, feta, chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of tahini dressing.
Caitlyn -
These were really good. I love the unique flavors that you come up with. That said, I didn't really think the butternut squash was noticeable and it added a bit of work to an already multi-step recipe so I think I'd skip it next time and just go with traditional falafel. The pickled beets have a nice flavor but that color is to die-for! Definitely something to bring out to impress guests. The fried shallots were incredible and the dressing was good. Thanks!
Ann Davis-Rowe -
So good! Even my carnivorous husband enjoyed. Will be using this a lot!
Kira -
These look DELICIOUS, but neither I nor my family tolerates fried food well. Do you think it would be possible to bake these falafel instead?
Sarah Menanix -
Hmm - I have not tried to bake them! I think it could work - I would bake at a high temperature to try to develop a crispy layer on the outside - My only hesitation is that they might not hold together quite as well when baked because they won't have as thick of a crispy layer. In that case, you can just crumble them over a bowl of quinoa and it'll still be extra delicious! If you try to bake them, please let me know how it turns out!
Charity -
Any verdict on these being baked? I prefer not frying as well so wondering g how they turned out?
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life -
Feeding babies is certainly a tricky art...at least I can watch other's tricks and tips for a while longer before Chris and I make that step...
Although, if Z isn't interested in the butternut squash falafel I will certainly volunteer to eat her share! These look amazing! Definitely going to make a double batch over the weekend. Delicious lunches here I come :)
Nicole ~ cooking for keeps -
Ahh yes, isn't it lovely when they get a mind of their own?? Falafels are one of my very favorite things on this earth, so these babies are happening in my kitchen as soon as possible!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean -
I've never made falafel, Sarah! OMG! Agreed about using chickpea flour.. it just seems like a no brainer. Love these little balls of goodness.. the spices, the squash, pickled beets... such a hearty bowl of everything I love! Gorgeous styling, delicious recipe... all the feels!! :D
Carla -
YOU WIN. It's like she didn't even know what she was giving up when she went with "cat".
amanda paa -
i can just picture this scene! i'm sure it's frustrating, and then laughable, all at the same time. no judgement on her eating falafel and cheese together.
you've created such beauty! i really want to make these before squash season is over. i have a feeling i'd be happily addicted.
xo
Todd Wagner | HonestlyYUM -
Wow wow wow!! Looking at these photos, you'd think Zoella's first word was falafel!! Fiona's been on a strictly noodles, oatmeal, and blueberries diet for about 2 years, so I think you're doing juuuuust fine ;)
Joanne Bruno -
I'm totally making these for baby R. She hasn't discovered her free will yet, so I'd better take advantage of that while I still can!
Sarah | Well and Full -
The texture of these falafels looks absolutely perfect! And that was such a cute story about little baby Zoella.... I can't believe your first word was "no" and hers was "cat"! I think you'd definitely win in a free will battle ;)