Best Easy Ciceri e Tria Recipe

Fried and boiled pasta combined with chickpeas in olive oil is Salento's ancient signature dish. Vegetarian, high protein, and mediterranean, this family recipe has nourished Pugliese homes for millennia.

Cook 90 min Difficulty NORMAL 456 kcal
#vegetarian #high protein #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • dried chickpeas 1 cup
  • uncooked tagliatelle or fettuccine pasta 12 oz
  • yellow onion 1 medium
  • celery stalk 1 piece
  • carrot 1 medium
Seasonings/Sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil 6 tbsp
  • garlic cloves 2 cloves
  • fresh rosemary 1 sprig
  • salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 62 g 54%
Protein 15 g 13%
Fat 15 g 33%
Serving size 340g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Soak the dried chickpeas in plenty of cold water overnight or for at least 8 hours, ensuring they are fully covered.

  2. 2

    Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then place them in a large pot with the onion, celery, carrot, and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 1.5 hours until tender, skimming foam occasionally.

  3. 3

    Remove and discard the celery, carrot, and onion. Season the chickpeas with 1/2 tsp salt and continue simmering uncovered for another 10 minutes to allow flavor concentration.

  4. 4

    While chickpeas cook, boil 8 oz of the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve.

  5. 5

    Heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high. Add 4 oz of the uncooked pasta and fry, turning, until golden and crisp, about 3–4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

  6. 6

    In a large pan, gently sauté garlic and rosemary in 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove rosemary. Add cooked chickpeas (with some of their broth) and simmer 5 minutes.

  7. 7

    Add boiled pasta to the chickpeas, mixing gently to coat and warm through. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

  8. 8

    Just before serving, fold in half of the fried pasta for texture. Use the remaining fried pasta as a crispy topping.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What’s the key ingredient in this Ciceri e Tria recipe?
Chickpeas are the core ingredient of Ciceri e Tria, providing hearty texture, authentic flavor, and high protein content. The combination of both boiled and fried pasta is also essential to its unique Salento character.
Q. How should I control heat when frying the pasta?
When frying pasta, use medium-high heat and enough olive oil to coat the pan. Add pasta only when the oil is shimmering. Stir frequently to prevent burning and remove once each piece is evenly golden and crisp—this takes just 3–4 minutes.
Q. How can I avoid mushy chickpeas or overcooked pasta?
Simmer chickpeas gently until just tender—do not boil vigorously. For pasta, cook until al dente, and be attentive when frying for a crisp yet not burnt bite. Fry pasta in small batches if needed for best texture.
Q. What is the nutrition profile per serving?
Each serving contains about 456 kcal, with 62g carbohydrates (54% of calories), 15g protein (13%), and 15g fat (33%). This balance makes it a high-protein, vegetarian, and Mediterranean-friendly dish.
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