Plantballs

Ed Grochowski

This recipe was inspired by another vegan meat substitute. It can be cooked in a microwave oven using a glass bowl with a loose-fitting lid.

Ingredients:

• 3oz dried chickpeas
• 1 medium russet potato
• 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large curly kale leaf, stem and large ribs removed, chopped and optionally frozen
• Chili powder and olive oil

Bring the chickpeas to a boil, turn off the heat, and soak for one hour. Drain. Again bring the chickpeas to a boil and simmer on low power for 50 minutes. Drain.

Peel and slice the potato and microwave for 4 minutes. Let sit for a minute.

In a food processor, mix the cooked chickpeas and potato with the rolled oats, onion, and kale. Scoop out balls. They hold together quite well.

At this point, the plantballs are ready to eat or they can optionally be fried on the stove.

Mix the chili powder with olive oil and drizzle on top. The sauce transforms the plantballs from mild to spicy.

Makes one serving.