Brown-Bag Beauty: Zesty Marinated Chickpea Salad

By Nicole Perry

Updated on 4/18/2018 at 12:19 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

I'm an unabashed fan of the humble chickpea, whether it's crisp and generously spiced, blitzed into creamy hummus, or pureed in a spicy soup, but perhaps most of all when it's marinated with bold, bright flavors. Satiating, satisfying — the textural contrast of the combined elements is key — this salad is just the ticket if you, like me, are plagued with a touch of brown-bag-lunch ennui. The melange of zesty flavors meld further with an extra day or two in the fridge, making this an option you'll look forward to till you scrape the last bowlful into a to-go container. Get the recipe below!

Marinated Chickpea Salad

YieldServes 4 to 6

Adapted from 'wichcraft: Craft a Sandwich into a Meal — and a Meal Into a Sandwich by Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortúzar

INGREDIENTS

    • 1 large or 2 small shallots, finely diced (about 1 cup)
    • About 1 cup red wine vinegar
    • 3 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 4 cups)
    • 1 cup finely diced celery (3-4 stalks)
    • 1 cup finely chopped parsley
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1/2 teaspoon minced peperoncini
    • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
    • About 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
    • 2 sprigs rosemary

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Add the shallot and enough red wine vinegar to cover it to a small mixing bowl. Set aside for 15 minutes.

    2. Meanwhile, combine the chickpeas, celery, parsley, oregano, garlic, peperoncini, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, and a few cracks of black pepper in a large mixing bowl.

    3. Drain the shallot, reserving the shallot-infused vinegar. Add the shallot to the chickpea mixture and toss gently to combine. Nestle the rosemary sprigs in the salad, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, making sure to turn the mixture a couple of times while marinating.

    4. Remove the rosemary sprigs, then season to taste, adding a splash or two of the reserved shallot vinegar if desired. Serve at room temperature.