Greeks and Ikarians especially have mastered the art of blending lemon, olive oil, and herbs. This simple soup is a warming alternative to chicken soup in the winter and provides yet another way to creatively render and incorporate beans into your daily diet. Chickpea soup is one of the most classic comfort foods in Ikaria; you’ll find it in almost every home and tavern.
1 pound dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, rinsed, and peeled (or four 15-ounce cans low- sodium chickpeas, drained)
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bay leaf
1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Salt and pepper (optional)
Juice of three lemons, for serving
Place chickpeas in a pot with just enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, drain, rinse, and put into a clean pot.
Add onion, garlic, bay leaf, and olive oil, and enough water to cover the ingredients.
Stir to combine.
If using dried chickpeas, bring to a boil; then simmer for about 2 hours, or until chickpeas are soft.
If using canned, bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes; add a few tablespoons of water at a time to thin the soup as needed.
Remove from heat and discard bay leaf.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with generous drizzles of lemon juice and olive oil.
The Blue Zones Kitchen fuses scientific reporting, National Geographic photography and 100 recipes that may help you live to 100. The Blue Zones’ food tradition is going the way of the dodo bird, thanks to the encroachment of the American Food Culture.
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