Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Panisse de Nice

Panisse.  What is it?...Cheese?...Bread?...A hat?



Actually, it is a specialty product from the South of France.

Sidebar:  Provence is one of my favorite places in the world; not just because of its unbelievable beauty, but because of its amazing food (mais bein sur)!  Imagine the best Italian food you've ever had.  Now, add butter and cream.  How could it not taste good?

Panisse is actually a chickpea (garbanzo bean) cake that was once called a poor man's food.  These moist patties can be bought at butchers, delis, fromageries and fresh pasta places in Nice.

Once bought, the panisse can be sliced or cubed and fried in olive oil.




After frying, all you need is a sprinkle of sea salt.  No condiments required.

Warning: They go fast!

Texture:  Once cooked, the panisse is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Imagine crisp golden French fries, that when you bite into them, the inside is filled with creamed potatoes.  C'est incroyable!

If anyone is aware of a place one can find panisse in the Greater Toronto Area, please leave a comment.


*** Update: To view my recipe and make your own panisse, click here. ***

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