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Fresh or raw garbanzo beans ( green chickpeas ) don't come along very often. This green chickpea recipe is about how to cook fresh garbanzo beans by shelling them from the pod, boiling for a couple minutes and then tossing with olive oil and favorite spices or herbs.
Are Garbanzo Beans Chickpeas?
Yup. Garbanzo beans are the same as chickpeas - use the terms interchangeably.
One more time, there is no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans.
Find fresh green garbanzo beans in the grocery store or farmers market in the spring or summer. In Charleston, I find them at Whole Foods. Call ahead and ask the produce department if they have them in stock.
What Do Green Chickpeas Taste Like?
Fresh chickpeas taste like classic beans. They are hearty, earthy, and nutty. They are firmer than green peas and also a little bit grainy compared to a butter bean or kidney bean.
How To Cook Fresh Chickpeas / Garbanzo Beans:
Look for fresh plump green chickpea pods that don't have brown spots or wilting. The fresh green chickpea pod is plump and slightly fuzzy. The chickpea pod is not edible.
Shelled garbanzo beans or green chickpeas can be eaten fresh and raw but they are a little tough. I suggest boiling them or pan frying them for a couple minutes to get them a bit more tender.
Cooking the chickpeas is fast and easy but shelling the beans means "putting in the work". Think of it as therapeutic meditation. You can not rush it. Be with the bean!
Cooking fresh green chickpeas is simple and easy:
-Shell the green chickpea from the furry small pod. (watch video in recipe).
-Throw the shelled green chickpea in simmering water for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
-Toss beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
-Add any favorite herbs, spices, or seasonings if desired.
You can also throw the whole garbanzo bean pod (with shell) into boiling water and eat as a snack like edamame that is still in the pod.
One comment from a reader said that they grew chickpeas growing up and would just pick and eat them raw.
Serving Fresh Garbanzo Beans:
Eat fresh green chickpeas as a side dish or put them on your favorite salad.
Don't have time for fresh chickpeas or can't find them? Cool - open a can of chickpeas and enjoy this Romaine and Chickpea Salad.
Fresh Green Chickpeas / Green Garbanzo Beans FAQS
Are garbanzo beans the same as chickpeas?
YUP! Different word, same thing - use both words interchangeably. Garbanzo beans are the same as chickpeas and chickpeas are the same as garbanzo beans.
Are green chickpeas safe to eat? Can you eat green chickpeas raw?
YUP! Chickpeas that are fresh and green can be eaten raw (if young and tender). They can also be frozen for later (like green peas), or steamed / cooked for a couple minutes.
When can I find fresh chickpeas / garbanzo beans?
Find them in the spring to summer - around April to July. Look for them in your grocery store or at the farmers market.
What is the difference between green chickpeas / garbanzo beans and brown chickpeas / garbanzo beans.
Chickpeas are freshly harvested when they are green. They should still be soft enough to eat raw or with a quick boil or pan fry.
Brown chickpeas are harvested later and canned. Dark brown hard chickpeas have been dried and, like all dry beans, need to still be cooked / boiled for a long time.
Serving size: 3
Ingredients:
-3 cups (~ 6 oz) fresh garbanzo beans ( green chickpeas )
-1 Tbsp olive oil
-¼ tsp salt
-pinch black pepper
Instructions:
-Bring a medium sized pot water to a boil. Add a little salt.
-Shell the green chickpeas. This is easy to do but may be time consuming. You'll get two beans in a pod if you're lucky.
-Throw the shelled garbanzo beans in the boiling water and cook ~ 2-3 minutes or until desired doneness.
-Strain green chickpeas and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
-Add salt to taste.
Happy Eating!
Beckie
