Fainá is a savory, gluten-free flatbread made from chickpea flour, popular in Argentina and Uruguay.
It is commonly enjoyed as an appetizer, street food or as an accompaniment to pizza, particularly in the region of Buenos Aires where it is popular to place a slice of Fainá on top of the pizza.
Fainá can also be enjoyed on its own but it is most often served as a street food snack or as a main course with additional toppings like tomato sauce and cheese.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Fainá can be traced back to Genoa in Italy. It was brought to Argentina by Italian immigrants during the late 19th and early 20th centuries where it quickly became a beloved addition to the local food scene and gained popularity among the Argentine population, spreading to Uruguay too.
Fainá demonstrates the influence of Italian cuisine in Argentina, which is an integral part of the country’s culinary traditions.
While Fainá is typically made with chickpea flour, there are regional variations and adaptations of the dish across Argentina and Uruguay. Some variations include the addition of herbs or spices to enhance the flavor of the dough. In certain regions, Fainá is made with a mixture of chickpea and wheat flour, resulting in a slightly different texture.
Fainá shares similarities with other dishes in Italian cuisine, particularly Farinata, which is the original Italian dish made from chickpea flour.
Argentinian Fainá Recipe
Fainá is a savory, gluten-free flatbread made from chickpea flour.
Ingredients
- Chickpea flour - 1 cup
- Water - 1 cup
- Olive oil - 3 tbsp
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Ground black pepper - to taste
- Dried oregano (optional) - to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chickpea flour, water, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until smooth and well combined into a batter.
- Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C), place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to preheat as well.
- After the batter has rested, stir it well. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
- Remove the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil onto the surface and spread evenly over the surface.
- Pour the batter onto the hot surface and spread it into a thin, even layer using a spatula.
- (Optional) Sprinkle dried oregano or other herbs over the surface of the batter for added flavor.
- Place the Fainá in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the top is firm.
- Once baked, remove the Fainá from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Cut the Fainá into slices or squares and serve it as a standalone dish, as an accompaniment to pizza, or topped with your tomato sauces and toppings like cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 361Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1198mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 10g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.
Photo credit: Fainá