Freekeh is made from roasted green wheat-high in protein and fiber. This Freekeh, Zucchini, and Pistachio Salad recipe is a great way to use it!
Getting "Freekeh"
Have I mentioned before that Chris works from home too? Our offices are across from each other and I bother him constantly. I'm pretty much the work-at-home equivalent of that obnoxious person on the other side of your cubicle who will not shut up. As I was getting ready to write this post, I asked Chris, "What is there to say about freekeh? I don't know what to write."
"Are you kidding?! It's called 'freekeh.' The post writes itself."
So yeah, I guess I could go the easy route and make fun of the name. Freekeh! If you go to the grocery store and ask for it, hilarious misunderstands ensue. "Hello, teenage grocery store worker. I need to get freekeh. Can you help?" And then, before you know it, a store manager is escorting you out, while you plead, "I just want to get freekeh! Freekeh!!" and he's all, "Ma'am, please don't make a scene." And when someone asks you not to make a scene, you've probably already made a scene. You will never be able to shop at that Piggly Wiggly again! Anyway, all this is to say, maybe you should order your freekeh online.
What Is Freekeh?
But no, I'm not going to go the cheap and easy route! (Except that I already did. See paragraph above.) Earlier this year, I said that I'd post more recipes using whole grains and since freekeh is pretty popular right now, I thought I'd tackle that next. But what is freekeh? Well, I'm glad you asked!
To me, freekeh is bulgur's tastier, more colorfully named whole grain cousin. It's made from green wheat that's been roasted, which is what gives it its toasty flavor. It's high in both protein and fiber and it's quick and easy to make too-use 2 ½ cups of water (or broth) for every cup of uncooked freekeh, bring them to a boil in a saucepan, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
About the Recipe
One of the easiest ways to use any whole grain that's new to you is to put it in a salad. You can really never go wrong with a salad. So that's what I did here! I made a simple dressing with fresh lemon juice and high-quality olive oil tossed that with the freekeh, fresh zucchini from the farmers market, and pistachios. But you can mix things up with different veggies, nuts, and other add-ins.
More Freekeh Recipes
Are you looking for more ideas on how to use freekeh? Here are some recipes from other food blogs:
Freekeh with Tabbouleh from Leaf + Grain
Sweet Curried Freekeh Salad from Vegan Miam
Pomegranate-Glazed Freekeh Kofte from Herbivoracious
Artichoke Freekeh Risotto from David Lebovitz
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked freekeh
- 2 ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
- ¼ cup chopped roasted pistachios
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper, to taste
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring the freekeh and broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until tender. Drain off any excess liquid if necessary.
- Transfer the freekeh to a large bowl and toss it with the zucchini, pistachios, and parsley. Stir in the olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with lemon wedges, if using.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
This post was originally published on 1 August 2013.
Michelle says
So...if whole wheat gives me migraines, should I avoid getting my freekeh on?
Kiersten says
Yeah, don't get freekeh. 🙁 It's delicious, but nothing is worth a migraine!
Archana @FeedingTheFoodie says
I've never got freekeh , but I'd love to get freekeh at the store, in person. I don't like getting freekeh online! 🙂 well , you started it!!!
The salad looks so fresh, makes for a good lunch!
Kiersten says
Ha! Yeah, I guess maybe getting freekeh in person is better than getting freekeh online, huh? 🙂
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
Oh girl, you had me busting out in laughter over this. I just love you to death, and your cooking too!
Kiersten says
Judging from your blog, I think we have the same warped sense of humor. And I mean that in the best way possible.
steph@stephsbitebybite says
I've never heard of freekeh, but I think I want it!
Kiersten says
It's really tasty! 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Haha, I love your husband's response! That's pretty sweet that you both get to work from home. Although I'm sure it can have its days!
I've never tried frekkeh before but I'm intrigued. I feel like I learn so much about new grains, fruits, and veggies from reading your blog. Thanks for the free education! 🙂
Kiersten says
I really love working from home. I used to be a librarian and I don't think I could ever go back to it. Or at least not the dealing with the public part of it. 🙂 Of course, the downside is that it's really hard to have a healthy work/life balance!
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
I've never tried freekah, but if it's bulgar's tasty cousin then I'm all in! I just picked some zucchini from the garden so this will be perrrrrrfect.
Kiersten says
Ooh, zucchini from the garden! I am jealous. My zucchini plant just doesn't want to cooperate.
Emily says
It's great that you and your husband both work from home - my husband and I work at home too. (Though he moved his office to the basement because, apparently, I am bothersome!)
I've never tried freekah, but I'll be on the look out for it!
Kiersten says
I used to work in the living room and I'm pretty sure Chris misses that. 🙂 But watching Judge Judy while blogging was terrible for my concentration.
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
I love trying new things and this salad looks great, so freekeh definitely just made it to the top of my list!
Kiersten says
I think you will love it! 😀
Emma says
My Mum actually brought me back some freekeh from a trip to Jordan! I was pretty excited about it- foodie gifts are always fun and it does have a great name! But so far I have only made a vegan version of the Herbivoracious's pomegranate molasses glazed kofte that you linked above. I'll have to start making some freekeh salads and yours looks a good place to start considering I'm currently stockpiling courgette!
Kiersten says
Oh, whenever I travel, I always bring back food. 🙂 (And candy--okay, I admit it!) I'm sure you will find lots of ways to use that freekeh!
julie@thesimpleveganista says
I have never heard of freekeh so thank you for this post! There is so much goodness out there to experience and this will be added to my list. I'd liked to get my freekeh on! 🙂
Kiersten says
Yes! I love trying new things--I get so happy whenever I find a new food to experiment with. 🙂 Definitely get your freekeh on!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Haha, I need freekah, love it! I just need to go to the store and ask for this, ASAP.
Kiersten says
Go get freekeh!
Marta @ What Should I eat for breakfast today says
My Tomasz works in the same room as well. We have a big wooden table that he made and we fase each other while working and... I do bother him all the time as well 😀
Kiersten says
Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one. 🙂 Chris and I definitely couldn't work at the same table!
Ronnie Fein says
I love freekeh and had a hard time finding it, but I persisted and finally got some. Just wrote about it also. Have a look: http://www.thejewishweek.com/food-wine/recipes/its-freekeh-kids-it
Kiersten says
Great recipe! I love the idea of using it with sweet flavors like mango.
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says
Ha, I guess in English the name does sound a bit silly. Freekeh is a staple in Arabic cuisine and we grew up eating it - it's one of my favorite - if not my favorite - grains out there. I love the use of pistachios in this salad. Great idea!
Kiersten says
I'm going to make it a staple in my kitchen now too! I am so obsessed with it right now. 🙂 I'm constantly thinking, "What can I make with freekeh?!"
McKel Hill, MS, RD, LDN | Nutrition Stripped says
Haha how funny! That must be nice (but also a distraction at times) having your man work in the same space- I know it is for me! Anyways, I'm glad you posted this because I've never used Freekeh.
Kiersten says
I think for me, it's a good thing, because I like having someone to bounce ideas off of. But for him, it's a bad thing because I annoy the heck out of him. 🙂
Suzanne @ hello, veggy! says
So, does freekeh contains wheat? I try to avoid wheat as much as I can but it looks SO GOOD!
Kiersten says
Yeah, it's green wheat. 🙁
Nicole says
I've never had (or heard of!) freekeh, but I'm going to look out for it to try now thanks to you!
And also, I work from home and can't imagine the shenanigans that would ensue if my hubby did as well. He'd probably persuade me to go to the beach in the middle of the day on a Tuesday or take naps on a daily basis!
Kiersten says
That's totally me. "Let's take the day off!" "Let's go to the farmers market!" I'm pretty sure when we go house hunting again, my husband is going to want offices on opposite sides of the house. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Lol, too funny! I've never tried freekeh but I love bulgur salads so I'm sure I'd love this as well!
Kiersten says
Yes, if you like bulgur, I'm sure you will like freekeh too. 🙂
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
*immediately rushes to grocery store to reenact that hilarious scene*
(and to get freekeh because yum!)
Kiersten says
It is so good! Just don't make people think you're a creepy weirdo for asking for it!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Your freekeh salad looks wholesome, Kiersten.
Eat Good 4 Life says
I have never eaten freekeh before, I need to try it. I have eaten bulgur in many occasions so I am sure it will be very similar. Great looking salad!
Kiersten says
It's very similar in texture, but the flavor is SO much better. I think it will be hard going back to bulgur again. 🙂
Caitlin says
freekah looks like such a fun grain, it's a shame it has gluten. but! i love this salad you made with it, which could easily be subbed with another caitlin-friendly grain, like rice or something. or maybe wild rice?!
Kiersten says
Aww. 🙁 I do make variations of this salad (grain + oil + lemon juice + nuts + veggies) all the time, with all kinds of different grains, and I always have good results. So I'm sure wild rice would work!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Freekeh?!! I'll add freekeh to my next main dish when I have friends over just to have a good laugh!
Kiersten says
My husband still can't get over the name. 🙂
Hazel @ fresherfood says
I love visiting your site to see what healthy fresh recipes you've posted and this is no exception! I've never tried freekeh before (love the name), but pistachios and courgettes are my favourite so it's well and truly pinned. Thank you!
Kiersten says
Thank you for the pin! 🙂
Genevieve says
I've never tried freekeh but whenever I do try a new grain, I usually like it (except wheat berries, I haven't given them another chance since my first try)! This sounds like a super healthy and green meal!
Kiersten says
Aw, I love wheat berries. 🙂 But I could see why someone wouldn't like them!