Place the chickpease in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and let them soak for 1 day.
Drain the chickpeas well and place them in a large food processor with all the other ingredients except the onion. Pulse on high speed until the mixture comes together (be careful not to make it a paste; it should still have some texture). If using a smaller food processor, work in batches.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the chopped onion, and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the dough to firm up.
After 1 hour, take 2 tablespoons of the mixture, shape it into a fritter, and press gently in the center. Repeat this process for the remaining mixture.
Heat a deep pot over medium to high heat and add enough sunflower oil to submerge the fritters. Once the oil is hot, fry the chickpea fritters until they are dark golden brown on both sides. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the pot and place them on absorbent paper to drain excess oil.
For the spicy sauce:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, stirring with a wooden spoon. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they caramelize.
Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serve the chickpea fritters hot, accompanied by the spicy sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Chef’s tip: Avoid adding the onion to the food processor with the other ingredients, as this helps prevent it from releasing excess moisture.