Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans, aka chana) should not remain relegated to the vegetarians among us. In fact, chickpeas are so versatile and nutritious that they were adopted by two major good food regions, the Middle East and South Asia. They look like mini-peaches and are similar in that they come from a can (put there by a man, etc.). Not sweet, but instead rather starchy, they are crunchy and smooth at the same time. High in fiber, chickpeas are a great way to make your salad more substantial (read: more filling) and can also be put in the pan with the vegetables you are making for your pasta. Whip ‘em in the blender with tahini, lemon juice, olive oil and cumin for some do-it-yourself hummus. And for 89 cents a can at Supreme’s Grocer (at the corner of 43rd and Walnut — way cheaper than that “fresh” one), you simply cannot go wrong.

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