Vegan Tailgate Recipe: Chickpea Croquettes

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Football is here people and it's time to gather with friends for football madness. Now, gathering with friends to tailgate is always fun but you have to be aware of everyone's dietary restrictions. It's hard since there are so many but since I've know my friends for a long time, I know what to cook and when to bring something extra like my vegan tailgate special: chickpea croquettes!

Growing up in a Cuban household, we ate croquettes ("croquetas") all the time. They were a staple at Sunday morning breakfast and at all birthday parties. Croquettes are usually made of ham, cheese or chicken and that was what we ate. We also grew up eating lots of chickpea stews so one day I thought "Hmmm, what about a chickpea croquette?" and then this amazingness was born!

For tailgating, I like to enhance the flavor a bit so I will always add some hot sauce. For these croquettes I don't go too crazy but I do add a little El Yucateco Habanero sauce to the mix! El Yucateco Black Label Reserve Hot Sauce has an earthy smoke flavor without the sweetness of a chipotle sauce. This smokey flavor brings depth, habanero flavor and the perfect heat to any dish without adding an overpowering smoke taste! Oh and no artificial colors are added. It's perfection in a bottle!

CHICKPEA CROQUETTES

Makes about 10

Ingredients:

2 cans chickpeas, drained

2 tbsp El Yucateco Habanero sauce

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup diced red pepper

2 tsp lime juice

1 tbsp olive oil

To make croquettes: In a food processor or blender, add chickpeas, hot sauce, cumin, coriander, salt, flour and lime juice. Blend until combined.

Pour mixture into a bowl. Fold in red pepper.

Coat a skillet with olive oil. Heat over medium heat. Scoop dollops of chickpea mixture onto skillet. Cook 5-6 minutes and then flip. Cook 5 more minutes on other side. Repeat with remaining chickpea mixture.

Remove from heat and serve!

I purchase El Yucateco Black Label Reserve Habanero Sauce at my local Walmart. Take a look in the hot sauce or ethnic foods section and you will find it.

Do you like chickpeas? Have you ever had chickpea croquettes or any type of croquette at tailgates?