Smashed Edamame Falafel Pitas

Name: Smashed Edamame Falafel Pitas
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/2 large lemon; 1/2 small red onion, (thinly sliced); Kosher salt; 1/2 small red onion, (chopped); 3 cups frozen shelled edamame, (thawed); 1 loosely-packed cup chopped fresh parsley leaves and tender stems; 2 garlic cloves, (chopped); 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; Pinch of cayenne pepper ((optional)); 1/2 large lemon, (juiced); 2 tablespoons neutral oil, (such as avocado, canola, or grapeseed, divided); 2 (8-inch) pita pockets; Chopped tomatoes; Diced cucumbers; Shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce; Tahini drizzle ((store-bought, such as Seed + Mill, or following homemade instructions below) )

all of the crunch, none of the deep-fry

Most falafel recipes insist you start with dried chickpeas and deep-fry the patties. But as much as I love falafel, I don’t have the time (or the desire) to do either of those things. …