dried chickpeas

Also known as garbanzo beans (*Cicer arietinum*), these versatile legumes maintain a firm, meaty texture even after long cooking. Their mild, nutty flavor and high starch-to-protein ratio make them ideal for blending into creamy hummus, roasting until crispy, or bulking up stews. **Selection & Storage:** Dried chickpeas should be uniform in color and unbroken. Store dried beans in an airtight container in a dark pantry; canned chickpeas should be stored at room temperature until opened.