Trinidadian Doubles: Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwiches
A vegetarian twist on Trinidad's iconic street food: fluffy pita pockets stuffed with spiced chickpeas and tangy tamarind chutney, bursting with Caribbean street-food energy. This caribbean-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs large (100g each) pita bread, (425g) canned chickpeas, medium (100g) onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 large (100g each) pita bread
- 1 can (425g) canned chickpeas
- 1 medium (100g) onion
- 2 cloves (5g) garlic
- 1 tbsp (10g) curry powder
- 1/2 tsp (1g) cumin
- 1/4 cup (60ml) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp (30ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp (30g) tamarind chutney
- 1/4 cup (5g) fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 100g finely chopped onion and cook for 4 minutes until golden. Add 5g minced garlic, 10g curry powder, and 1g cumin, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 425g drained chickpeas, 60ml tomato sauce, and 1/4 tsp salt. Simmer for 10 minutes until mixture thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 3: Warm pita breads in a dry skillet for 1 minute per side. Cut horizontally to form pockets. Spoon hot chickpea mixture into pockets, drizzle with 30g tamarind chutney, and sprinkle with 5g chopped cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Trinidadian Doubles: Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwiches take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Trinidadian Doubles: Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwiches?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large (100g each) pita bread from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Trinidadian Doubles: Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwiches?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Trinidadian Doubles: Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwiches for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Trinidadian Doubles: Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwiches vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
