Socca With Wilted Greens and Emmental (GF)

Socca is a traditional gluten-free crepe made from chickpea flour and deliciously seasoned with rosemary and cumin. It originates from the South of France and is delicious with your favorite crepe fillings.

When Max was in kindergarten and Una was just starting to walk, we went backpacking in Europe. We flew into Rome, out of Dublin, and took buses and trains in between. It was on that trip that I discovered both farinata and socca.

I think there is a certain amount of confusion about the differences between farinata and socca, mostly because they are both made with chickpea flour. However, they are not the same thing.

Farinata

Farinata was on the menu at a pizzeria in Torino. The tourist-friendly English translation described it as “chickpea gruel” and it came with a variety of toppings. It wasn’t the name that caused me to order it as much as the novelty of trying something new.

I was served a thick, soft flatbread baked in a deep-dish pizza pan. I had ordered the butternut squash and blue cheese farinata, and it was absolutely delicious. If you’re keen to try it, check out the recipe on my foodie-focused blog.

Socca

I bought socca from a food truck at a not-very-posh flee market in Montmartre, Paris. Most of the other stalls were selling cheap and overly cheerful clothes and toys. As pretty much the only tourists there, we were able to get a good deal on some Paris kitsch: fridge magnets, keychains, and a 4-inch tall cast metal model of the Eiffel Tower.

However, a recipe for socca was definitely the BEST thing we brought home with us. I first made it in the tiny kitchenette of our Parisian apartment, and it has been a favorite ever since.

Socca is not the same as farinata. It is, in fact, a grain-free crepe from the South of France. Like all crepes, it can be served with savory or sweet fillings. However, it is also delicious hot, and fresh without any filling at all.

Filling options

The trick to making delicious socca is to let the batter soak. It takes 30 minutes for chickpea flour to fully hydrate, which is necessary for a nice smooth batter.

I usually mix up the batter in the morning and leave it in the fridge. Other than that, it’s a pretty quick dinner.

I admit that the traditional recipe doesn’t involve an egg, however, it really makes it easier to flip the crepes. If you want to make a vegan socca, then replace the egg with an additional 1/4 cup of water. Not only will it be egg-free, but it will also be traditional!

Socca can be filled with pretty much anything your heart desires.

• Una likes hers with melted cheese and slices of fresh tomato.
• Max loves anything with brie.
• Brad likes sauteed mushrooms and crumbled goat cheese.
• I chose to write this recipe with braised greens because it is inspiringly fresh in the spring!