El Hergma - Calves' or Lamb Trotters with Wheat Berries and Chickpeas

Name: Moroccan Trotters Recipe (Hergma) with Raisins, Chickpeas and Wheat Berries
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 270 min
Total time: 305 min
Ingredients: 2 calves' feet, cut into several pieces by the butcher ((or 8 lamb feet, cut in half); 3/4 cup dried chickpeas; 1 1/2 cups wheat berries (wheat kernels); 1/4 cup dark golden raisins; 2 large onions, (chopped); 1 large onion, (sliced); 6 to 8 cloves garlic, (finely chopped); 2 or 3 small pieces of cinnamon stick or bark; 4 tsp salt; 3 tsp ground ginger; 2 tsp black pepper; 1 1/2 tsp paprika; 1 tsp saffron threads, crumbled; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp smen, (or to taste); 1/2 cup olive oil

ByChristine Benlafquih and Nada Kiffa August 25, 2017September 26, 2021 September 26, 2021

Trotters are known for not having much meat, but they're a traditional Moroccan favorite due to this dish's flavorful, thick sauce that invites you to dunk in with bread.

overhead image of a platter of Moroccan trotters and chickpeas topped by a garnish of wheat berries

Hergma is a Moroccan dish of trotters, chickpeas and wheat berries. Raisins are sometimes added. Photo: Nada Kiffa | Taste of Maroc