Farinata (Ligurian Chickpea Pancake)

Inspired by our Ligurian friend Rosanna

This delicious recipe requires a specific round tray for baking, but beyond that, it is a very simple 3-ingredient recipe. If you want to try, you can find online the specific tin-plated copper baking tray, which guarantees the best result. Or, as we did, buy one when you're in the northwestern Italian region of Liguria (the Italian Riviera)!

Farinata is also found in the French Riviera, where it is called "Socca", in southern Piedmont, and in the Livorno and Pisa areas of Tuscany, where it is called "cecina". A similar dish is called "panelle" in western Sicily and "panissa" in Liguria, but that one is done differently. You can check out the recipe here.

If you like chickpeas, you will love farinata for its crunchy top and bottom, and the softness of its middle. It's also gluten-free and dairy-free, just to know--a very basic, healthy option!

Savor this recipe on one of our tours in Liguria where it is quite popular as an appetizer--or a main course, depending on how many slices you take!

Ingredients for 2 people using a tin-plated copper baking tray of 34 cm (13.4 inches) in diameter:

• 190 grams (1.5 cup + 1 TBSP) chickpea flour
• 570 ml (2 & 1/4 cup + 1 TBSP) water
• 42 grams EVOO (3 TBSP) for the batter
• 28 grams EVOO (2 TBSP) to coat the tray
• 8 grams (1 & 1/8 tsp) salt

Directions:

• Mix chickpea flour and water using a whisk
• Let this mixture sit on the counter. After an hour or so, skim off the foam and discard it
• Add EVOO and salt, and mix well. 
• Let the mixture rest for at least 3 hours (6 hours is even better, to let the flour absorb more water)
• Preheat the oven to 450F (we used the "Convection Bake" setting)
• Coat the tray with 2 TBSP of EVOO
• Put the greased tray into the oven to heat it up for 5 minutes and to allow the EVOO to spread evenly 
• Pour the batter in the tray and bake for 25 minutes
• Cool, slice, and serve! Buon appetito!

NOTE: Do not scrap the tray with any metal object as this will remove the layer of tin. For cleaning, just use water and a soft sponge.