The chickpea is said to have first grown in Ancient Egypt. In classical Greece, they were called “erébinthos” and eaten as a staple, a dessert or consumed raw when young. Nowadays, in Greece, chickpeas are used predominantly in soups and fritters. The island of Rhodes is well known for its chickpea fritters.Chickpeas are a good source of zinc, folate and protein. They are also very high in dietary fibre.