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Falafel (/fəˈlɑːfəl/; Arabic: فلافل‎, is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern food, usually served in a pita, which s as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa; falafel also frequently refers to a wrapped sandwich that is prepared in this way. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze (appetizers). Falafel is a common dish eaten throughout the Middle East. The fritters are now found around the world as a replacement for meat and as a form of street food. The word falafel can refer to the fritters themselves or to sandwiches filled with them. Some sources trace the name to the Arabic word falāfil (فلافل), the plural of filfil (فلفل), meaning pepper, and that the Arabic word is preceded by: the Persian pilpil from the Sanskrit word pippalī (पिप्पली), meaning long pepper; and/or an earlier *filfal, from Aramaic pilpāl, small round thing, peppercorn, derived from palpēl, to be round, roll. Thus in origin, falafel would be rollers, little balls. Falafel grew to become a common form of street food or fast food in the Middle East.[18] The croquettes are regularly eaten as part of meze. During Ramadan, falafel balls are sometimes eaten as part of the iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast after sunset. Falafel became so popular that McDonalds for a time served a McFalafel in some countries. Falafel is still popular with the Copts, who cook large volumes during religious holidays. Debates over the origin of falafel have sometimes devolved into political discussions about the relationship between Arabs and Israelis. in modern times, falafel has been considered a national dish of Egypt the Palestine, and of Israel. Resentment exists amongst many Palestinians for what they see as the appropriation of their dish by Israelis. Additionally, the Lebanese Industrialists Association has raised assertions of copyright infringement against Israel concerning falafel.