Jun 8, 2012

Zalata Amba (Chickpeas with Mango Pickle)

The recipe for this zesty Iraqi salad, which uses pickled mango, or amba, comes from the food cart Aladdin's Castle Café in Portland, Oregon. This recipe first appeared in our June/July 2012 issue along with Dana Bowen's story Food of the People.

Credit: Todd Coleman

SERVES 6�8

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
½ cup roughly chopped pickled mango (Iraqi or Israeli amba; available from Online Food Grocery.com)
1 tbsp. sumac (available from Mama's Lebanese Kitchen)
1 medium tomato, cored and roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Drain chickpeas, and place them in a 4-qt. saucepan, cover with water by 2"; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered and stirring occasionally, until tender, about 25 minutes.

2. Drain chickpeas, and transfer to a medium bowl; stir in pickled mango, sumac, tomato, and salt and pepper; let sit for 30 minutes to meld flavors before serving.