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Holan
Roasted green chickpeas
ਹੋਲਾਂ: fresh green chickpeas roasted in their pods and shelled hot
In late winter, around the time of Holi, village children in rural Punjab pull up bunches of green chickpea plants from the edge of the field and throw them onto a small fire of dry stalks. Once the pods blacken they rake them out and shell them hot, blowing on their fingers, and the bright green peas inside taste smoky, sweet and nutty. At home you can do the same in a heavy iron kadai. The mistake is leaving them on until the pods are fully burnt; by then the peas inside are dry and hard. Stop when the pods are blistered black in patches and the peas are just tender. Chef's tip: a pinch of salt and chilli with a squeeze of lemon on the shelled peas turns them into a quick chaat.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb fresh green chickpeas in their pods (hara chana)on the stalk if you can find them
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- 1 lemon (optional)halved
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Rinse 1 ⅛ lb fresh green chickpeas in their pods (hara chana), shake off and spread on a cloth until completely dry.
3 minStep 2: Heat a heavy iron kadai or frying pan over high heat for 3 minutes until very hot, with no oil.
3 minStep 3: Add the pods in one layer, cover and roast for 4–6 minutes, tossing every minute, until the pods are blistered and blackened in patches and smell toasty. You will hear them crackle and pop.
6 minStep 4: Tip onto a plate, sprinkle with ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp red chilli powder, and squeeze over 1 lemon. Shell and eat warm.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 7 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does holan take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of red chilli powder?
- Cayenne, half the amount (hotter).
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