These endive boats with a plant-based filling are easy to serve and to make in advance. A silky-smooth hummus, flavored with lemon, sumac, and cinnamon, gets an extra dose of deliciousness and texture with the addition of crunchy radish, juicy pomegranate, and whole chickpeas. Stuffed into fresh endive leaves—you can call it hummus and then some.
What is sumac?
Sumac is a dried powdered spice made from crushed sumac berries. It’s popular in middle eastern cuisine. It lends a bright, tart, citrus-like flavor. As it becomes more popular, it’s becoming increasingly available in grocery stores but if you can’t find it in your regular shop, look to a Middle Eastern or specialty spice store.
- 13.5 oz can of chickpeas
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup very finely diced radish
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds plus more for garnish
- 1/2 tsp sumac
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 garlic clove peeled and smashed
- 1 Tbsp tahini
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 leaves Belgian endives separated from root, washed, and dried
- In small pot with lid, add contents of can of chickpeas and cover with an additional can of water. On high heat, bring to a boil with lid on. Once boiling, remove lid and reduce heat to medium- high. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes, until chickpeas are soft. Reserve about 1 Tbsp of liquid and drain the rest. Allow chickpeas to cool slightly. Remove 1/4 cup chickpeas to medium-sized bowl and combine with cilantro, diced radish, pomegranate seeds, sumac, cinnamon, and honey. Set aside.
- Blend remaining chickpeas with garlic, tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and 1 Tbsp of the cooking water until smooth. Add olive oil and give a final blitz to combine.
- Add resulting smooth hummus to the chickpea-radish-pomegranate mixture and stir to combine. Use small spoon to fill endive leaves and garnish with additional pomegranate seeds and more chopped cilantro.