Magical Witch's Dinner

Tonight for supper I am going to fix a favorite passed on to us by an old Italian friend. The dish is called "Witch's Dinner." It has grown to be one of our favorite's as well. 

Milly, our friend, used to tell us, "If an angry Witch came to visit you, what would you offer her? After all hungry cranky Witches are dangerous Witches, liable to cast mean destructive spells, maybe even the Evil Eye."

This Italian dish "Witch's Dinner" reputedly satisfies, pacifies and pleases even the fussiest Witch. Supposedly serving this dish to a Witch (or perhaps anyone) disarms her. The result is that it makes her wish to do good things for you, not harm.

Luckily it is an extremely simple, quick, inexpensive (even cheap) dish to prepare featuring garlic (the goddess Hecate's favorite) and some "magical" beans. 

The Latin term for them is Cicer arietinum, and they are the most widely loved bean on Earth. Also known as Garbanzo beans in Spain. And Chickpeas in English speaking countries. In Italian they are known as Cecci.

Witch's Dinner:

Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Peeled fresh garlic, finely chopped
One can of Chickpeas
Chopped fresh mint
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste


1. Warm the olive oil in a cast iron pan.
2. Carefully saute' the garlic in the olive oil.
3. When the garlic begins to brown, add chickpeas to the pan, but not the liquid.
4. Add the chopped mint and saute' for fifteen minutes.
5. Season to taste with salt, pepper and extra mint if desired.
6. Serve on pasta or toast.
*If the mixture is too dry, add a little of the liquid from the can.


Good Luck, Good Food and Good Magic,
Lory