Moldovan Chickpea Pudding

Discover the comforting charm of Moldovan Chickpea Pudding, a versatile dish that balances wholesome ingredients with rich, creamy flavors. This traditional recipe can be prepared as either a sweet or savory delight, catering to a variety of palates. Featuring pureed chickpeas blended with milk and thickened with a gentle, buttery roux, this pudding offers a velvety texture that’s both satisfying and nourishing. The sweet version is delicately spiced with cinnamon and sugar, while the savory option is enhanced with black pepper and optional Parmesan for a depth of flavor. Perfect as a unique dessert or a hearty appetizer, this dish is easy to prepare and can be tailored to both plant-based or traditional diets. Serve it warm, garnished with cinnamon or freshly grated cheese, and let this Moldovan classic bring a touch of Eastern European heartiness to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams chickpeas (dried or canned)
• 500 milliliters milk (or plant-based alternative)
• 50 grams butter (or vegan alternative)
• 40 grams all-purpose flour
• 50 grams sugar (for sweet version)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for sweet version)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (optional, for savory version)
• 20 grams grated Parmesan (optional, for savory version)

Directions

Step 1

If using dried chickpeas, soak them in water for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse them before boiling in fresh water for about 1 hour or until tender. If using canned chickpeas, simply drain and rinse them.

Step 2

In a food processor or blender, puree the cooked chickpeas with 300 milliliters of milk until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the flour. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a light roux.

Step 4

Gradually add the pureed chickpea mixture to the saucepan, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in the remaining milk to achieve a smooth consistency.

Step 5

For a sweet version, add sugar and cinnamon at this stage. For a savory version, add salt, black pepper, and optional Parmesan.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for about 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Transfer the mixture to serving bowls or ramekins.

Step 8

Allow the pudding to cool slightly before serving. For the sweet version, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon. For the savory version, garnish with additional Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	978.1 grams (978.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1516

Total Fat 59.90g	77%
Saturated Fat 33.70g	169%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 145mg	48%
Sodium 3322mg	144%
Total Carbohydrate 192.80g	70%
Dietary Fiber 26.10g	93%
Total Sugars 90.20g
Protein 55.90g	112%

Vitamin D 244IU	1218%
Calcium 1065mg	82%
Iron 11mg	62%
Potassium 1766mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.1%

Protein: 14.6%

Carbs: 50.3%