Freekeh is a green grain made from young durum wheat which is roasted or smoked then polished to remove the shells. The grain is then cracked to varying degrees of coarseness.
History traces freekeh back to ancient Egypt and in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. The story goes that in 2300 B. C, a nation in the Eastern Mediterranean was anticipating an attack on their city. Worried about losing their crops and starving, they picked the early green heads of wheat and stored them.
Where did freekeh originate?
Freekeh has been harvested in ancient civilizations in the Middle East and Mediterranean, from Egypt all the way up to Greece. It dates back to as early as the the 13th century, marking it as an “ancient” grain. Because freekeh is from the Middle East, it is commonly used in many Middle Eastern dishes.
Well, pronounced ‘free-kah’ and occasionally referred to as ‘farik’, freekeh’ (in Arabic), it’s actually a product of wheat. It’s the younger version of the wheat that we know that’s taken whilst it’s still green, then roasted over an open fire to allow for the straw and chaff to be taken off.
What is freekeh in Turkish food?
In Turkey, freekeh is known as firik, and a pilaf dish based on freekeh, called firik pilavı, is found in traditional Southern Anatolian cuisine. It may be combined with bulgur; legumes such as chickpeas and various herbs and spices, and sometimes meat, may be added.
Where does whole grain freekeh come from?
Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes. Whole grain freekeh hails from the Middle East and North Africa, where it has been consumed for centuries, especially in southern Lebanon and Egypt.
Nutrition and Benefits. Similar to power-packed sprouts, young freekeh grains retain more nutrition than grains harvested after they fully ripen. A 3/4-cup serving of cooked freekeh (about 1/4 cup of uncooked grains) contains about 130 calories and less than 1 gram of fat. It also delivers 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of dietary fiber.
Where is cracked freekeh in the grocery store?
Many natural grocers stock cracked freekeh along with the other packaged whole grains, but, unlike other whole grains, it’s hard to find freekeh in the bulk foods section. Occasionally, you may find it in the ethnic foods aisle, along with other Middle Eastern foods. Many smaller co-ops and organic grocery stores stock this grain as well.
What is Frikeh called in English?
Freekeh (sometimes spelled frikeh) or farik (Arabic: فريكة / ALA-LC: farīkah) (pronounced free-kah /fɺi: kə/) is a cereal food made from green durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var.