What's Cooking In Christina's Kitchen

This weekend at Hampton's Market Place in East Hampton I found little green pods in a basket on the floor. Upon looking closer these edamame looking vegetable were actually fresh green chickpeas, something I had never encountered. As a chef and Middle Eastern food fanatic (respect to the all mighty Lebanese cuisine), I chose to make a very colorful and fragrant hummus. The results were something I will never forget nor replicate without the find of these raw legumes.

Fresh from the farm Green Hummus

1 pound of fresh hulled green chickpeas, simmered till tender (15 mins)

1/4 cup of tahini

1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup of good olive oil

1 garlic grated on a microplane or crushed finely

1 tsp of cumin

1 tsp of salt

Garnish: olive oil, toasted pinenuts, parsley (optional)

1. Prepare the chickpeas until tender and place into a blender with the remaining ingredients. Blend until pureed. 2. Place into a bowl with a generous drizzle of olive oil and other garnishes. 3. Serve with toasted pita points or summer radishes.