Mediterranean Dishes You Need To Try At Least Once

Per The Guardian, falafel may just be the best vegetarian fast-food ever: a deep-fried fritter (though you can bake them, too) that’s crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and the perfect size to enjoy on the go.

Making falafel at home isn’t too difficult either. One tip to remember, though, is to use fresh pulses. According to Kitchen Stories, using canned pulses (like chickpeas) can lead to mushy falafel centers. Instead, you’ll want to opt for dried versions of your lentil, bean, or pea, and let the pulses soak overnight to retain their texture for fluffy results.

Falafel shops and stands are literally everywhere, from seaside towns in the Mediterranean to college towns across the United States. Hummus Bowls & Wraps notes that falafels made it to the U.S. in the 20th century, but that the fritter’s origin dates back centuries, most likely originating in ancient Egypt — though, like baklava, there is a contentious debate over which country can truly claim falafel as their own (via History Today).