Falafel

falafel (occasionally spelled felafel) are small, fried patties, croquettes, or rissoles popular in the Middle East mainly as a snack or a mezze. Their origin cannot be traced and is probably extremely ancient. It is, however, generally accepted that falafel originated in Egypt, where these tasty snacks have become one of the national dishes. The Christian Copts, who are said to be pure representatives of the ancient Egyptians, claim them as their own.

Falafel are called taʾamia in Egypt, except for Alexandria, where, as in the rest of the Middle East, they are called falafel. Egyptians make them with the dried white broad beans called ful nabed. In the Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan they are more usually made with chickpeas and/or dried broad beans. They are also popular in Israel, where they are sometimes called the ‘Israeli hot dog’, and are often served with a hot fenugreek relish called hilbeh brought to Israel by the Yemenite Jews. Some regard falafel as a national dish of Israel.