FOOD NEWS
The Savory Italian Pancake That Features A Crispy Outside And Custardy Inside
BY SIMONE GERBER
In America, pancakes are known for being sweet, fluffy, and often doused in maple syrup, but Italy is home to a savory, versatile chickpea pancake called fainá.
Fainá originated in Genoa, but the dish has also grown popular in South America, particularly Argentina and Uruguay, thanks to Italian immigrants.
The savory and simple pancakes are made with chickpea flour, olive oil, salt, pepper, and water, then both fried and baked for a crispy exterior and custardy-soft inside.
To make fainá, mix 1-2 cups of chickpea flour with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you’d like, plus a few glugs of oil and enough water to form a thin batter.
Lightly fry the batter in an oven-safe skillet, then bake in an oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the pancakes turn crispy.
Fainá can be eaten any time of day as a breakfast, snack, or side. Try adding cheese, topping with fresh veggies, or using black beans or lentils in place of chickpeas.