Francisca’s Spinach Garbanzo Salad

Francisca Maxima was born on the west coast of Guatemala, then relocated to Finca Azotea as her husband obtained work on the coffee farm. She started cooking meals and selling them to farm workers a few days per week to earn a little money and everyone enjoyed her home cooked meals. In 2017, she began helping out at the Garden of Hope, a project which was located at Finca Azotea at that time. During her nearly 5 years working with Garden of Hope, Francisca was able to share her knowledge of local plants and her resourceful recipes with volunteers and families who visited Garden of Hope. Francisca currently runs a small grocery store with her daughter in Jocotenango, Guatemala. She chose to share this simple, tasty, and nutritious recipe (which also happens to be vegan!)

Spinach Garbanzo Salad With Sauteed Chard

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion
• 1/4 cup tomato
• 2 cups of chopped chard
• salt to taste
• 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• 1 avocado chopped
• 1 diced tomato
• 1-3 carrots chopped
• 1 bunch spinach chopped
• juice of 2 limes

Directions:

1. Heat pan and add olive oil, onions and tomato, and stir. Next add chard and salt, stir for 3 minutes and serve in hot tortillas.
2. For the salad, mix the veggies and garbanzo beans in a bowl, then dress the salad with oil, lime, and salt to taste. Mix again and enjoy together as a wholesome meal!