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Fresh Green Garbanzo Beans – Chickpeas

Fresh Green Garbanzo Beans - Chickpeas

I never really gave it much thought as to what these beans looked like when they’re not from a can. I’ve been enjoying garbanzo beans in salads since I was a kid. Sorting through serrano chilies in the produce department (for fresh salsa during the Holiday weekend), there was a bin full of these fuzzy, green pods. At first glance, I thought they were some kind of pea pod. How novel to discover that they were fresh garbanzo beans! I had never even seen a garbanzo in its true sense and was eager to tear into one of the pods to discover what they looked like inside.

Despite their fuzzy and delicate appearance, the pod protects the bean rather well. You can use a sharp object to assist in tearing into its protective sac, or use your fingers. I found that most pods housed one or two beans and they’re anchored to the bottom of the pod’s seam.

Arriving home with my treasure, I searched Google, The Food Network and Martha Stewart Living but with very limited, if any at all – results on using fresh garbanzos. I read that there are parts in Mexico that serve them cooked with the outer shell and tossed with lime, salt and spices.   Joumana from Taste of Beirut just posted Spiced raw garbanzo beans using fresh garbanzos, so please click on over and check it out.

Did you know that garbanzos (hereinafter also meaning “chickpeas”) come in either white or green color?   There are two types of garbanzo beans:

  • Desi – small, darker seeds with a rough coat.   This type is mainly cultivated in Ethiopia, Mexico and Iran.
  • Kabuli – usually lighter, larger and with a smooth coat.  This type is mainly known to be grown in Afghanistan, Chile, Pakistan, Northern Africa and Southern Europe.

Health Benefits of Garbanzo Beans – Chickpeas

  • Very high in fiber.
  • Good source of carbohydrates for insulin sensitivity or diabetics.
  • Some studies have found that it can help lower cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Note: I am not a dietitian or nutritionist. Consult with your family doctor(s) for nutrition and dietary needs.

So what to do with fresh garbanzo beans? Eat them! We’ve been enjoying them raw. After removing them from the pods, we rinse them and squeeze fresh lime juice, Tellicherry pepper, light toss of sea salt…maybe very fine crumbled feta and serve as a side or toss it in a salad.

As these seem such a novel item in the markets around here, I rushed back to buy even more before they vanish!

Fresh Green Garbanzo Beans - Chickpeas

This really isn’t a recipe, but rather a serving suggestion using garbanzos raw/fresh.
Fresh Garbanzo (Chickpea) Beans with Lime and Feta
Serving Suggestion
Ingredients

Fresh Garbanzo Beans
Fresh Lime

Tellicherry pepper, freshly ground and to taste
Sea salt or other coarse salt, freshly grinded and to taste
Chile Powder, to taste

Feta Cheese (optional), crumbled fine, to taste

Directions

Remove beans from pods and rinse.

Based on your preference for quantity, toss with fresh lime, pepper, coarse salt, chile powder and feta (optional).

Serve as a snack, side dish or addition to salads.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lemongrass1 says

    We grow chickpeas at school and the kids eat them fresh. My four year old won’t eat lettuce or peas or beans (not even snowpeas), but he WILL eat these green, fresh chickpeas! If you can grow wheat in your area, you can also grow chickpeas. Sow them at the beginning of the rainy season.

    • Cristina says

      I’m definitely going to look into it. They’re difficult to find…haven’t seen these in my markets this year, but what a find they were when I did. Thanks for the growing tips. On my garden’s list! 😉

  2. Amy says

    Thank you for creating this website. I just purchased some fresh garbanzo beans to start a healthy diet. Yours is the only website I found with any great info on these delicious emerald delights. Keep up the great work!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Amy: Thank you for the thoughtful comment and I’m glad you found the post had some value about fresh garbanzo beans!

      I fear I won’t find them again, once they run out at my local market. 🙁

  3. Russell at Chasing Delicious says

    Mmm.. I love garbanzo beans. I try them with everything. I definitely am going to try what you’ve suggested here. I wonder if you can eat them like edamame when cooked in the shell?

    These pictures are gorgeous! I want to run out and find a bunch myself.

  5. Liren says

    Cristina, it’s so funny, but I too have been so accustomed to seeing garbanzos from a can that seeing them in their fresh, green state is quite foreign for me! What lovely images – just so alluring – I hope I find some fresh garbanzos one day so I can try this!

  6. redkathy says

    It is obvious by the comments that most of us haven’t considered fresh garbanzos. Very informative post and lovely pictures, as always. I did click over and found it interesting that the green variety were somewhat the norm in the Middle East.

    Have a great week Cristina!

  7. pachecopatty says

    I also had never thought about garbanzo beans in their natural state, I find your pictures intriguing and beautiful. If I ever find them fresh I will be sure to snap them up and try your recipe, it sound so fresh with flavors like lime and feta that I just love;-)

  8. Juliana says

    Thanks for sharing these great pictures…first time I see the pods of a fresh garbanzo beans. Beautiful pictures!
    Have a great week ahead Cristina 🙂

  9. Magic of Spice says

    They are gorgeous! I have seen canned and dried but never fresh…I am on the search now 🙂 Lovely flavors you have prepared for these beauties 🙂

  11. Mary says

    Crista, this looks amazing. This is my first visit to your blog and I decided to spend some time browsing through your earlier entries. I’m so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you feature here. More than that, I appreciate the environment you’ve created for your readers. I’ll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  13. Lin Ann says

    Wow, beautiful photography! Thank you for the introduction to fresh garbanzo beans. I’ve never seen them fresh. I love this simple, healthy recipe.

  14. Nami @ Just One Cookbook says

    Hi Christina! Ohhhh I love the 2nd picture of green garbanzo beans! SO CUTE!!! When I see these beans, they are always out of the pods. I didn’t know a pod can fit only 2 peas. Your recipe is very simple and I’m sure we can enjoy the original taste of beans! 🙂

  20. The Cilantropist says

    Wow this is fantastic, I have never seen these either but am so glad you picked them up and decided to discover what they were! Where did you find these??? I would love to get my hands on some, I am always up for trying new things and your suggestion with lime and feta sounds intriguing!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hey Amanda!! How have you been?

      Of all places…a Walmart Superstore (E.Cty) is where I found them. I’ve also checked places like Sprouts and Henry’s but they don’t carry ’em. If I see them anywhere else, I’ll be sure to update it here on this comment in case you’d like to check it out. 🙂

  23. Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } says

    I found your post very interesting. Never really thought about how a garbanzo bean was “packaged” in nature. Now I know and BTW, love the photos. Your recipe looks so simple but so tasty. On the list to try. 🙂

  24. Jasmine says

    Very interesting Teenie. This is the first time ever seeing a fresh garbanzo. Your fresh garbanzo recipe looks very healthy. I’ll have to go looking for some of those pods. Thank you for sharing.

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