Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal

Reimagining this classic Jewish Sabbath/comfort food.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed well.
• 1 medium carrot, scrubbed and roughly chopped.
• 1/2 medium onion, peeled and quartered.
• 1/4 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup healthy oil
• “Kitchen Sink” Spices: Use whatever is in your pantry—aim for about 1 to 2 teaspoons total. (Good options: Paprika, onion powder, dried parsley, or a pinch of poultry seasoning).
• Salt & pepper: To taste.
• An additional 2 tbsp healthy oil for frying

The Prep

• Place the carrot, onion, and cashews into the blender. Pulse until they are very finely minced but haven’t yet turned into a paste.
• Add the drained chickpeas, oats, oil and whatever spices you found laying around.
• Pulse until the mixture is cohesive and thick. You want it to look like a heavy dough.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. This is vital for the “Kishke” texture; the oats need to hydrate to create that signature dense, soft interior.
• Form mixture into small palm-size patties.
• Heat the additional oil in a skillet.
• Drop mixture into hot oil. Don’t be cheap. Add more if you need it.
• Fry over medium heat, rotating carefully, until a brown crust forms on both sides.
• Makes 18 patties. One serving is about 3 patties.

Nutrition Information

(Gemini AI-calculated)

Per serving (3 patties/approx. 1/6th of recipe)

This mock kishke is a nutritional powerhouse designed for sustained energy.

The structural “soul” of the dish comes from the chickpeas and rolled oats, which deliver a steady stream of complex carbohydrates. Each serving provides roughly 19 grams of carbohydrates and 4.5 grams of dietary fiber. This high fiber content is what gives the kishke its “heavy” feel while actually preventing the sudden blood sugar spikes often caused by flour-based sausages.

From a protein perspective, the combination of legumes, nuts, and grains creates a complete profile, offering approximately 6 grams of plant-based protein per serving. When three patties are enjoyed as a portion, the total energy count is roughly 250 calories. This makes for a calorie-dense, nutrient-rich component of a meal that remains entirely cholesterol-free.

(Note: If you use significantly more oil for frying than the 2 tablespoons listed, the calorie and fat counts will increase accordingly based on absorption.)

Recipe formatted by Gemini AI. Nutrition information calculated by Gemini AI. Photo by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal.