Here’s mine broccoli and chickpea hummusan alternative to the famous Middle Eastern cream, suitable for a winter aperitif to be served with toasted pita bread and others meze.
It’s not the first time I’ve started from the traditional recipe ofchickpea hummus, to create alternative seasonal versions. The first was thechickpea and courgette hummuswhich has been very successful both here and on mine instagram channel @lennesimoblog. And after the summer version based on courgettes, it was the turn ofpumpkin hummusfor an autumn variant with one of this season’s most loved ingredients.
I also thought about winter ingredients, often underestimated, and I discovered that tahini*, the creamy sauce made from white sesame seeds, pairs perfectly with the sulphurous flavor of cruciferous vegetables, the “cabbage” family of vegetables! It was then my turn cauliflower and chickpea hummusbut the idea of trying it with broccoli was a winning one.
The preparation is simple: just cook the steamed broccoli, perhaps using the basket to cook other foods, mix them with the spices and blend them with the cooked chickpeas. If you prefer, you can experiment with a broccoli-only variant, for an even more intense and vibrant color.
How to pair broccoli hummus
The ideal match is the toasted pita bread, to be served in bite-sized pieces; a choice that further enhances the flavor and tradition behind this broccoli and chickpea hummus.
But you can also try Neapolitan saltimbocca or le Salento pucce*, generally already cut in half, perfect for your Middle Eastern meze based on creams, such as hummus, mutabal or the babaganoush.