Panisses

Panisses are deep-fried chickpea cakes originating from the French regions of Provence and Côte d'Azur. They can be consumed as snacks or served as a side dish, and consist of chickpea flour batter, oil, boiling water, and salt. Their flavor is creamy, crunchy, and savory, and it is said that they taste like something between French fries and hummus. Panisses are best paired with rosé wines, while the children's version of these snacks might be additionally dusted with confectioners' sugar. In the 1930s, panisses were especially popular around Marseille's Old Port, when they were paired with various salads as a complete meal.