Vegetarian Authentic Balkan Cevapi

Discover the irresistible flavors of the Balkans with this Vegetarian Authentic Balkan Cevapi recipe! Crafted from hearty chickpeas, earthy button mushrooms, and a fragrant blend of spices like paprika, cumin, and coriander, this plant-based twist on a classic Balkan dish is perfect for vegetarian food lovers. The cevapi are lightly coated in flour for a crisp, golden crust and pan-fried to perfection, creating a tender yet satisfying bite. Serve these delicious creations with warm bread rolls, tangy ajvar, and fresh onions for a traditional Balkan dining experience you won’t forget. Ready in under 45 minutes, this high-protein, flavor-packed recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, letting you enjoy authentic cuisine without meat!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Chickpeas
• 250 grams Button mushrooms
• 100 grams Breadcrumbs
• 1 medium Red onion
• 2 large Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup, chopped Parsley
• 1 large Egg
• 50 grams Flour

Directions

Step 1

Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

Step 2

Finely chop the mushrooms, red onion, and garlic cloves.

Step 3

In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil. Sauté the chopped onions and garlic for about 3 minutes until they become translucent.

Step 4

Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes, until they are softened and most of the moisture has evaporated.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until you have a coarse mash with some texture.

Step 6

Add the cooked mushrooms, onion, and garlic into the bowl with the mashed chickpeas.

Step 7

Mix in the breadcrumbs, paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and the egg until a cohesive mixture forms.

Step 8

Divide the mixture into small portions, roughly the size of golf balls. Roll each portion into a sausage shape about 2 inches long.

Step 9

Place the flour on a plate and gently roll each cevapi piece to lightly coat them. This helps create a nice crust when frying.

Step 10

Heat the remaining tablespoon of sunflower oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 11

Cook the cevapi in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.

Step 12

Serve hot with bread rolls, sliced onions, and red pepper sauce or ajvar.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1053.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1727.0

Total Fat 53.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 20.4g
Cholesterol 219.5mg	0%
Sodium 4143.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 255.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.8g	0%
Total Sugars 37.6g
Protein 73.0g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 394.3mg	0%
Iron 24.4mg	0%
Potassium 2525.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.9%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 56.8%