A substantial wholesome pancake enlivened with spices and served with a tangy mango and cucumber salsa and yoghurt. These courgette chickpea pancakes are made with gram flour, so they’re naturally gluten free.
The courgettes down on our plot, continue to flourish in the way only courgettes know how to. We both really enjoyed the spiced courgette fritters I made recently. These sweetcorn courgette fritters are pretty good too. So with plenty more courgettes developing, I couldn’t resist this chickpea pancake version when I spotted it in the February 2005 issue of Delicious.
Courgette Chickpea Pancakes with Mango Cucumber Salsa
Courgettes, otherwise known as zucchini, make fabulous pancakes with their beautiful flecks of green. They work just as well in these gluten-free pancakes as they did in my fritters.
In fact, these courgette chickpea pancakes made a substantial one pancake meal. At the same time, they retain an appealing lightness which makes them ideal summer fare. Gluten free cooks, please note, there’s no wheat in these pancakes. Turns out, the chickpea flour, also known as gram flour, is more than a mere substitute.
I’ve used an egg in the chickpea batter, but that’s not at all traditional. Quite frankly it’s not needed at all. So if you’re vegan, just leave it out and add a little more water.
Chickpea pancakes, otherwise known as socca are a common street food in the south of France. In Italy it’s known as farinata. This is my version and it scored well. The mango salsa enlivened the pancakes with a hot and fruity kick – goal!
Chickpea Flour
Chickpea flour is made from dried chickpeas. It’s used in various countries around the world, but particularly the Indian subcontinent. Here it is known as either gram flour or besan flour. It’s also common around the Mediterranean, where you’re more likely to hear it referred to as garbanzo flour. It’s often used to make pancake style flatbreads similar to these courgette chickpea pancakes.
Until it’s cooked, it actually tastes unpleasantly bitter. But apply a bit of heat to it and it becomes really good with a slightly nutty flavour. You can use it in both sweet and savoury dishes. And as it’s naturally gluten-free, it makes a great pantry staple for anyone who’s gluten intolerant.
Other Pancakes Made with Chickpea Flour
- Chickpea flatbreads – Munchies and Munchkins
- Quick Indian pancakes – The Veg Space
- Socca, walnut basil pesto & purple mangetout (vegan) – Tin and Thyme
- Spicy vegetable chickpea pancakes – Anne’s Kitchen
- Vegan chickpea flour pancake – Planet Veggie
- Vegan ‘omelette’ with cabbage, Asian style – Tin and Thyme
And for some ideas for pancakes in general, take a look at my pancakes & waffles category.
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you try these courgette chickpea pancakes, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate the recipe. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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If you’d like more main meal recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious, of course.
Choclette x
Courgette Chickpea Pancakes. PIN IT.
Courgette Chickpea Pancakes – The Recipe
Courgette Chickpea Pancakes with Mango Cucumber Chutney
Ingredients
Pancake
- 2 medium courgettes (zucchini)
- 180 g chickpea flour also known as gram flour, garbanzo flour and besan flour.
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 tsp ground cumin roasted is good if you can get it
- 1 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large egg (I used a duck egg)
- 300 ml water
- 4 spring onions (scallions)
- 1 small chilli deseeded and finely chopped
- 3-4 sprigs fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- natural yoghurt to serve
Mango Salsa
- 1 ripe mango peeled, stoned and diced
- 10 cm cucumber diced
- 1 handful chives chopped
- 1 small red chilli deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 handful fresh parsley or coriander leaves (cilantro) – chopped
- 1 lime juiced
- ¼ tsp ground cumin roasted is good if you can get it
Instructions
- Grate the courgettes and leave in a colander or sieve to drain of some of the liquid, for 30 minutes or so.
- Prepare and mix all the salsa ingredients together and season with salt if desired.
- Place the chickpea flour, bicarbonate of soda, spices, salt and pepper into a large bowl and whisk to mix.
- Make a well in the centre and add the egg. Start to whisk this in gradually adding the water until all is incorporated.
- Stir in the courgettes, onions, chilli, parsley and oil.
- Heat a 20 cm non-stick frying pan over a moderate heat and grease with a little oil.
- Spoon a quarter of the mixture into the pan and flatten out into a large pancake.
- Fry for about 3-4 minutes until set then flip over and fry for a further 2-3 minutes.
- Keep warm in a low oven and repeat the process three more times.
- Serve with the mango salsa and yoghurt.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I’m sending these gluten-free courgette chickpea pancakes off to Jac at Tinned Tomatoes for Meat Free Mondays.
Stuffed full of courgettes as these pancakes are, they go to Extra Veg . It’s hosted this month at Feeding Boys & a Firefighter.
Lisa @FacelessFood says
I would never have thought to add courgettes to a pancake batter. I love the look of that spicy salsa too.
Choclette says
Courgettes work really well in pancakes. I’ve used them in wheat ones too. And yes, this has reminded me how good that chutney was. Rushes off to buy mangos.
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says
Just discovered your recipe over at Meat Free Mondays, I’m so pleased to find a new courgette recipe. Love the idea of using chickpea flour, your pancakes look delicious Choclette x
Choclette says
Haha Sarah, are you inundated with courgettes by any chance? We’ve been making lots of soup, but I’ve done a few pancakes and fritters now and they make a really nice change.
ManjiriK says
I like the sound of your chutney, I am a biiiig fan of mangoes and love pancakes too. Working with chickpea flour is also great fun.
Choclette says
I’ve been really surprised at how good chickpea flour is in cakes Manjiri as well as pancakes.
Katie says
Wow these look totally delicious and something i’d really like to try. I love courgettes and i’m always on the look-out for something different to do with them. Thanks for hooking up with Extra Veg 🙂
Choclette says
Thanks Katie. Adding them to pancakes or fritters is a lovely way to use them and also good for kids who might be a bit picky about their veg.
Kecia says
These pancakes look absolutely fantastic! Hearty and filling and healthy, too!
Choclette says
Thanks Kecia, they are all of those things 🙂
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Simply fabulous! These look so scrumptious, I will absolutely definitely positively have to make them! Love love love the addition of the mango salsa…….. AND gluten free! Thank you…… xx
Choclette says
Yes, this is a good one for you Kate and the chickpea flour really does make a fantastic pancake. As for the mango salsa … well!!!
manu says
What a perfect combo!
It looks delicious!
Have a great weekend
Choclette says
Thank you Manu. It was a delicious meal. Hope you have a great weekend too 🙂
Glamorous Glutton says
This looks really good. I need to have a play with chickpea flower, it’s got so much to offer. GG
Choclette says
It really has GG. I was surprised at how light and fluffy these pancakes were – tasty too.
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
They sound so delicious! Love this combination and pinning for use ASAP.
Choclette says
Woohoo Lucy, hope you get to make them soon whilst there are still plenty of courgettes to be had for the taking 😉
Kacie says
This looks so tasty! I am really into courgettes at the moment.
Choclette says
That’s lucky Kacie, there are so many courgettes to be had at the moment. But make the most of them, the season is coming to an end.
Helen @Fuss Free Flavours says
Lovely pancakes, I have socca waffles to experiment with this weekend. Thanks for sharing with #extraveg
Choclette says
Chickpea flour waffles could be fantastic Helen if you get it right – good luck.
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
Oh what a great combo, Choclette! I’ve never had chickpea pancakes. I really gotta try them! 🙂
Choclette says
Chickpea flour is surprisingly good Sina and makes a nice light and fluffy pancake too. Traditionally they are made with just water, so the egg is sort of superfluous.
Dom says
these look damn fine. I do love a savoury pancake. I think I may make something similar this weekend x
Choclette says
You and the Viking will love them for sure Dom AND there are so many courgettes right now.
Whitney @ That Square Plate says
I’ve been wanting to make a savory pancake! I bet this is delicious. Would love to try the fresh chutney 🙂
Choclette says
Well with courgettes running amok at the moment, this is a good pancake to try Whitney 🙂
Preethi'scuisine says
Awesome Pancakes !! Perfectly made . I would love these with some spicy pickle or chutney anytime. Thanks for sharing.
Choclette says
Thank you Preethi, spicy pickle, chutney or salsa really takes these pancakes up to the next level.
Kate | The Veg Space says
Yum! That looks fabulous and love the idea of the mango & cucumber chutney. Thanks for linking to my Indian pancakes too!
Choclette says
Thanks Kate. The mango and cucumber chutney worked really nicely with soft and sweet, cool and crunchy together with lime sour and chilli heat – a great combination.
Jolly says
Pancakes look so inviting & delicious aa
Choclette says
Thank you Jolly. The pancakes were indeed very good.
Wooooooow!!! says
U know I have to subscribe ur blog dear Choclette…. I am a pure vegetarian girl, and this will be my favorite pancakes… Thanks a ton for sharing!!
Choclette says
Thank you so much Wagmee, it’s always good to discover new ways with vegetarian food 🙂
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says
Can I come over for lunch? Please! Please! I love chickpea pancakes they’re so light and fluffy! Yours look super delicious with vibrant mango on top!
Choclette says
Of course Sylvia 😉 Why has it taken me so long to discover them I’m now wondering?
shobha says
These pancakes are so delicious and inviting.. They are made to perfection. I would relish them with some spicy pickle.
Choclette says
Thanks Shobha. The mango chutney worked well, but you’re right any sort of spicy pickle would be good.
Keep Calm and Fanny On says
I love courgettes, and these pancakes look great! Thanks…
Choclette says
Our courgette season was quite short this year, so I’m still in love with courgettes. There have been some years though that I don’t think I ever want to see one again 😉
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Love these natural gluten free pancakes and that mango salsa looks terrific too.
Choclette says
thanks Angie. Chickpea flour works so well in pancakes, I’m just surprised it’s taken me so long to find out.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I had no idea that chickpea pancakes were served in the south of France! You learn something new everyday don’t you! These look delicious. I’ll be sure to post a photo when I give them a try. My parents veg patch is also over flowing with cougette so I’ll be sure to make these when they deliver the next harvest!
Choclette says
Thanks Emma. Courgettes may come a plenty, but the season is relatively short, so I do relish the glut even whilst throwing my hands up in panic 😉
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
This looks fab – I love using chickpea flour, gives dishes such an interesting taste and texture!
Choclette says
I’ve used chickpea flour in cakes before which works well, but as a pancake, this was a first for me – it won’t be a last.