Just about every culinary culture has pancakes. You know that chain pancake place over by the highway? They claim to be 'International', but they only offer us French Toast and Belgian Waffles. What other international delights are they keeping from us?


Farinata

Farinata

Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Socca_slices_Nice.jpg

Farinata is a traditional Italian dish from the Liguria region, made from a simple batter of chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and salt. This thin, savory pancake is baked in a large, shallow pan, resulting in a crispy, golden crust with a soft, slightly creamy interior. The flavor is rich and nutty, thanks to the chickpea flour, and it’s often seasoned with a sprinkle of rosemary or black pepper.

Farinata is typically enjoyed as a snack or appetizer and is often served hot, straight from the oven, cut into wedges or squares. Its simplicity makes it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of toppings, such as caramelized onions, olives, or fresh herbs. In some regions, it’s also served alongside cheese or cold cuts for a more substantial meal.

Though it originates from Liguria, farinata has variations across Italy and even in other Mediterranean countries, where it’s known by different names, like socca in Nice, France.

Name_ Farinata
Origin_ 🇮🇹 Italy
Morphology_ ☰ flat
Flavor_ savory
Filling_ none
Topping_ spices
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