Panelle is Sicilian fritters made from chickpea flour or Besan with spices and herbs added. These are popular Street food, often enjoyed as part of bread roll like a sandwich. These are called Pane e Panelle when these fritters are sandwiched with bread.
When I first read about this, I was so excited as this was so similar to many Indian Starters and sounded so much similar and yes it was deep fried. The best part of the whole dish is the final filling as a burger. The whole time I had that envisioned and wanted to try that out without fail.
These Panella are supposed to be of Arabic origin and have similarities with chickpea based dishes like falafel, farinata and pakoras. They are deep fried and sounds easy to make, though it does require a certain level of handling the batter. Just like Khandvi, it's all about the right time to lay out the batter.
As with all deep fried snacks, these are best eaten hot. I had planned it for a dinner, where I was making burgers and had this included as part of the meal that Peddu and Konda had. I was so surprised when Peddu wanted more of this filling than the cutlets that were placed.
This was one of the earliest dishes that got done and I was so happy to have one less down the lane!
Since I read about these Panelle, I didn't look further for my A to Z International Street Foods. If you are interested to know the Flatbread for P, check this post.
In this A to Z International Street Foods:
A for Arancini
B for Bunny Chow
C for Chatamari
D for Dürüm
E for Empanada
F for Fataa’ir Farmaajo
G for Gilgeori Toast
H for Hua Juan Bao
I for Imqarrun il-Forn
J for Jasuben's Pizza
K for Khachapuri
L for Lángos
M for Mofo Anana
N for Nachos Supreme
O for Okonomiyaki
Step by Step Pictures for making Panelle
Panelle | Pane e Panelle~ Sicilian fritters on Burgers
For the Panelle
1 cup Besan Chickpea Flour
2 cups Water
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
2 tbsp Coriander leaves / Parsley, finely chopped
Cooking Oil for deep frying
For Burgers
Burger Buns
Mayo
Tomato Ketchup
Onions
Tomatoes
For the Panelle
Have a greased tray ready.
To make the Panella batter, whisk the besan along with salt, pepper with water to form a smooth batter without lumps.
Heat a nonstick pan with oil, pour this and keep stirring continuously. When the water is all absorbed and the flour is cooked, add the chopped coriander and mix well. The batter will look creamy Turn off the heat.
Quickly spread on the baking tray, making sure it's about 1/ 2 inches in width. Let it cool down completely.
Cut them into triangles.
Deep fry until golden and drain.
For Burgers
You can serve this as patties in between bread.
I served it placed as burger patties along with lettuce, mayo, tomato ketchup, tomato and onions. It surely made a filling dinner.
Recipe
Panelle | Pane e Panelle~ Sicilian fritters on Burgers
Ingredients
For the Panelle
- 1 cup Besan / Chickpea Flour
- 2 cups Water
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to Taste
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves / Parsley, finely chopped
- Cooking Oil for deep frying
For Burgers
- Burger Buns
- Mayo
- Tomato Ketchup
- Onions
- Tomatoes
Instructions
For the Panelle
- Have a greased tray ready.
- To make the Panella batter, whisk the besan along with salt, pepper with water to form a smooth batter without lumps.
- Heat a nonstick pan with oil, pour this and keep stirring continuously. When the water is all absorbed and the flour is cooked, add the chopped coriander and mix well. The batter will look creamy Turn off the heat.
- Quickly spread on the baking tray, making sure it's about 1/ 2 inches in width. Let it cool down completely.
- Cut them into triangles.
- Deep fry until golden and drain.
For Burgers
- You can serve this as patties in between bread.
- I served it placed as burger patties along with lettuce, mayo, tomato ketchup, tomato and onions. It surely made a filling dinner.
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srividhya says
Nothing can satisfy like the kids appreciation. These fritters by themselves are great and when placed in the burger with mayo and other condiments, I am sure it would have tasted heavenly. Yum
Sandhiya says
Another great find, Valli. Interesting burger recipe, sound delicious !!! Guess the fritter itself can serve as snack !!!
Priya Suresh says
Wow, this is definitely a terrific food. And that delicious burger is a real torture. Feel like munch those sicilian fritters without any fuss.
Harini says
A unique cooking process but sounds very interesting.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Shaping the fritters sounds interesting and the kids would definitely have a grea time in your cooking..
Gayathri Kumar says
The one thing I crave so much is the deep fried food. These fritters look absolutely yum and that burger with these fritters look awesome Valli. Making of the fritters is quite interesting..
Vaishali Sabnani says
Oh wow..these fritters are like the Gujju Dhokli..I am amazed at the similarity ..unbelievable!. I bet the burger must be a treat, chickpea flour..fried ..ah I am absorbing the flavors and know that this will be a hit with me. Awesome find Valli.
Pavani says
I saw this recipe on Mir's blog a while back and wanted to try. But never did. You are tempting me to give this a try some time soon. It's a very interesting recipe with besan -- looks so inviting and delicious.
mayurisjikoni says
A unique and interesting street food. Wouldn't have thought that something like our bhajia exists in Italy. Bookmarking this recipe.
manjulabharathkumar2016 says
wow such an lipsmacking burger with those delicious fritters .. They sure are scrumptious by itself with some ketchup I would love to enjoy these fritters ..Amazing recipe choice valli.. They look so incredible , loved how you shaped them to triangles .. Am sure they are super addictive.
Priya Srinivasan says
Wow such an interesting burger! That looks tempting valli! When the kids enjoy the dish, it is more than satisfying ! Am sure those fritters are super addictive ????
cookingwithsapana says
The Sicilian fritters sounds like chickpea fries but in triangle shape and they must have tasted good inside the burgers. I guess we can add some salad too, right?
Suma Gandlur says
Wow, this sounds like Vaishali's posts of burgers with Indian fritters stuffed inside. Sorry but that was the first thought I had when i went through the post. :)) This is an interesting burger.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
That is such a different burger and definitely not what I was expecting. Love the chickpea fritters and that should have given a great crunch inside the burger buns.
Padmajha PJ says
Oh wow! What a dish! The scallion fritters by themselves sound yum and those inside a burger sound even better! I have never come across this dish! Wonder how you find such gems!!
Simply Tadka says
Wow.. drooling wwith tempting burger stuffed with fried pakora.. awesome choice.