Spinach and Chickpeas

The combination of spinach, chickpeas, and warming spices like cumin and paprika has deeply Moorish origins. In the Muslim kitchen, vegetables with a protein plus flavorful additions frequently stood in where meat may have been forbidden, short-lived, or too expensive. When the Moors, and therefore this dish, came to Spain, it gained in popularity among non-Muslims as well for times like Lent, where deliciousness and avoidance of meat were key.