I'm an absolute falafel connoisseur. I eat it a lot. I was introduced to falafel later in life, so I guess I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do. The best part about falafel love, is that any falafel worth its chickpea will already be Vegan. My first falafel sandwich was from Sultan's Market in Chicago and I have to admit, it's still my favorite. So the bar is set pretty high.
I've never been gaga over pre-packaged falafel. It's ok, but it's usually dry or just not tasty. However, on my last trip to Trader Joe's, I noticed they had some frozen falafel. It's Trader Joe's, it's falafel and it's Vegan, what the hell, I guess I'll try it. You only live once!
So right off the bat I notice the direction stating that the preferred method of cooking is the microwave. What? You almost never see that. The preference is usually the stove or toaster oven, but never the microwave. Well, I was smart about it. I put half of the falafels in the microwave and the other half in the toaster oven. That way I could determine MY preferred cooking method.
Well, I hate to say it, but the falafels were pretty uninspired. The texture reminded me of a reheated tater tot. Absolutely no moisture, no crisp, no crunch. I think the only thing that might have saved them is deep fat frying. Neither cooking method yielded great results. Yes, the microwave was quicker, but that's about it. And I thought the toaster over would make the falafels crispier but that wasn't the case. I'm so bummed!
The taste left much to be desired. Not very flavorful, you would definitely need hummus or something to spice it up. The only saving grace is that maybe I've had so much good falafel that the Trader Joe's Frozen Falafel never stood a chance. Whatever the case, buy at your own risk. I hope you have better luck than me!
FAQs
The grocery retailer says it was alerted by a supplier that its fully cooked falafel, sold in about three dozen states including Massachusetts and New Hampshire, "may contain rocks." The products have been pulled from shelves and destroyed.
Are Trader Joe's frozen falafel healthy? ›
These falafel aren't exactly healthy, either: three pieces contain 19 grams of fat, 320 calories, 490 mg of sodium, and 30 grams of carbohydrates. If you're looking for a vegetarian or Middle Eastern-inspired snack and it's gotta come from the Trader Joe's frozen food section, we suggest you try something different.
Does frozen falafel go bad? ›
Freezing and Reheating
When Frozen: Cooked falafel can be stored in the freezer, extending its shelf-life to several months.
Is the Trader Joe's falafel good? ›
Trader Joe's falafel is popular for a reason – it's delicious! I love them in pita sandwiches (it's a classic for a reason!), but you can also serve it so many other ways and I'm sharing ideas for falafel bowls, salads, and wraps below.
What is the controversy with Trader Joe's? ›
Shortly after its closure, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against Trader Joe's, claiming the company shuttered the store to prevent workers from unionizing.
Why was Trader Joe's falafel recall? ›
And last summer, it announced recalls for cookies, broccoli-cheddar soup, falafel, and crackers due to the possibility they were contaminated with insects, rocks, or metal.
Is it OK to eat falafel everyday? ›
If it is fried, its fat and calories increase and the food is no longer so healthy. How often can I eat falafel? It can be eaten daily but in moderation, if not in some people it may cause bloating an abdominal discomfort.
Are falafels healthier than meat? ›
Falafel is a great dish to encourage people to eat a more plant-based diet, which benefits the body as well as the environment, Amy Shapiro, RD says. It's high in protein and fiber from the chickpeas (one cup of which has 15 grams of protein and 14 grams of fiber).
Is the frozen falafel outbreak linked to E coli? ›
The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel. As of December 1, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. There have been a total of 24 illnesses in six states.
How to tell if falafel is bad? ›
If the falafel has a sour or off-putting smell, that's an indicator it's gone bad. Discoloration or a slimy texture may also be warning signs.
never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok. it is safe to eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen. food can be cooked until midnight on the use-by date listed on the product and then cooled and kept in the fridge.
Can you fry falafel from frozen? ›
The falafel can now be frozen for up to three months (see below). Heat a 1cm depth of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat until small bubbles form on the surface. Fry the falafel in batches for 6 mins until deeply golden, turning over halfway through using a spatula or slotted spoon.
What is the most popular item at Trader Joe's? ›
Best Overall Trader Joe's Item: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips. When it comes to Trader Joe's products, there's one that shoppers believe is a cut above the rest—snack category winner Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.
Are Trader Joes products high quality? ›
Trader Joe's private label products promise great quality fare for exceptional, everyday prices. We taste everything before we put our name on it and offer only what we feel is extraordinary.
What's so special about Trader Joe's? ›
At Trader Joe's, you won't find a lot of branded items. Instead, you'll discover a store full of unique and interesting products, along with everyday basics, in the Trader Joe's label. Our buyers travel the world searching for products we think are exceptional and will find a following among our customers.
Why does Trader Joe's discontinue popular products? ›
Our mission is to bring you the best quality products at the best prices. To do this, we have to manage our store space smartly. If a product is not earning its spot on our shelves, then we discontinue it to make room for something new. We do not enter into the decision to discontinue a product lightly.
What is Trader Joe's being sued over? ›
The Trader Joe's case combined five lawsuits involving 17 law firms. It alleged undisclosed levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic, another heavy metal, in eight dark chocolate bars, citing the Consumer Reports study and "independent laboratory" testing.
Why are there so many Trader Joe's recalls? ›
Trader Joe's has blamed some of the recalls on an issue with the manufacturing process at the facilities.
Why did falafel fall apart? ›
Simply mix until you have a paste-like consistency but it does not need to be perfectly smooth. A few rough bits are completely fine. If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them.
