Mediterranean
Chickpea Socca Pizza
A naturally gluten-free pizza base made from chickpea flour. It's high in protein and fibre, crisp at the edges and soft in the middle.
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 2.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpea (gram) flour
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup passata
- ¾ cup grated cheese
- Toppings: rocket, tomatoes, red onion
Cooking Steps
Whisk the chickpea flour, water, 1 tbsp olive oil and salt; rest 30 minutes.
Heat an ovenproof pan and pour in the batter to form a thin round.
Cook 3 minutes, then transfer to a 220°C (425°F) oven for 8 minutes.
Top with passata, cheese and toppings.
Bake 8 minutes more until set and golden.
Finish with rocket.
Optional Enhancements
- Add herbs to the batter
- Dairy-free cheese
- Top with hummus instead of passata
Plant & Growing Tips
Rocket
- Sow seeds directly in cool weather, either in early spring or late summer/fall, as it bolts quickly in heat.
- It prefers full sun to partial shade and consistently moist soil.
- Rocket is very suitable for container growing.
Tomatoes
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or buy young plants for an earlier start.
- Plant in full sun with well-drained, rich soil, ensuring adequate spacing.
- Provide sturdy support like stakes or cages as plants grow to prevent breakage and disease.
Red Onion
- Plant sets (small bulbs) in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, in full sun and well-drained soil.
- Space sets 4-6 inches apart to allow bulbs to grow to full size.
- Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during bulb formation.
Natural Pest Control
- Flea beetles on rocket can be deterred by using row covers or by interplanting with repellent herbs like mint.
- Tomato hornworms can be hand-picked from plants; look for their droppings as a sign.
- Onion maggot can be prevented by rotating crops and using row covers at planting time.
Harvest
Rocket
- Begin harvesting outer leaves when they are 2-4 inches long, using a cut-and-come-again method.
- Harvest frequently to delay bolting in warm weather, which makes leaves bitter.
Tomatoes
- Pick when fruits are fully coloured, firm, and detach easily from the vine.
- Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season.
Red Onion
- Harvest when the tops begin to yellow and fall over naturally, usually in late summer.
- Cure bulbs in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for a few weeks before storing to extend their shelf life.
Storing & Freezing
Best fresh; batter keeps 1 day refrigerated.
