Falafel Pita Sandwich With Cucumber Sauce

A Heart Smart® sandwich that's a low-fat, high fiber bargain. Served in whole wheat pita pockets and topped with a tangy cucumber sauce, your heart (and tastebuds) will love you. Note: the sauce needs to marinate - preferably for 24 hours - so plan ahead.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• CUCUMBER SAUCE

• 1⁄2 cup vinegar (I like apple cider vinegar)
• 2  tablespoons fresh dill or 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried dill
• 3  tablespoons  grated onions
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 4  medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
• 2  cups low-fat plain yogurt

• PATTIES

• 1  medium potato, nuked and peeled
• 3  tablespoons canola oil
• 2  small onions, finely chopped
• 1  medium  jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (if you don't like heat, use banana pepper or poblano pepper)
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 cup fresh parsley, minced (plan on using the whole bunch, Zaar editor doesn't do BUNCH)
• 2 (19 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and well smashed
• 1  tablespoon plain low-fat yogurt
• 1  teaspoon paprika
• 1  lemon, juice of

• BUILDING THE SANDWICH

• 6  whole wheat pita bread, cut in half
• 2  cups  shredded lettuce
• 12  slices tomatoes

Directions

1. CUCUMBER DRESSING: Mix vinegar, dill, onions and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add cucumber slices and marinate overnight.
3. Drain; discard liquid. Stir in yogurt. Makes about 4 cups; more than enough for the sandwiches.
4. FALAFEL PATTIES: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
5. Microwave potato for about 3 minutes; cool, peel and mash with a fork. Set aside.
6. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat and saute onions, jalapeno and garlic till soft; about 3 minutes. Stir in parsley and saute another minute.
7. In a large bowl, combine beans with onion mixture; mix well.
8. Stir in mashed potato, yogurt, paprika and lemon juice.
9. Form into 24 patties using 2 tablespoons mixture for each. (It's easier to spoon 2 tablespoons on baking sheet and form into rounds).
10. Place patties on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes; turn patties over and bake for another 10 minutes.
11. Assemble sandwiches by placing 2 patties in each pita half. Top with lettuce and 1 tomato slice. Serve with cucumber dressing.
12. Serving = 2 pita halves with 4 patties and toppings.