Tomatoes are listed with lettuce and cucumbers as a falafel sandwich garnish. Their juicy texture and mild acidity complement the crisp vegetables, fried falafel, and creamy tahini sauce.
Falafel sandwiches are commonly assembled in pita or another flatbread. Along with tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumber, they may include pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and sauces based on tahini. The exact combination depends on regional traditions and the individual vendor.
Tomatoes are a garnish rather than an ingredient in the basic falafel mixture. The fritters themselves are made from ground fava beans, chickpeas, or a mixture, with herbs and spices added before cooking.
Regional recipes differ in other ways too. Fava-bean falafel is strongly associated with Egypt, while chickpea-based versions are especially widespread in the Levant and internationally. These variations affect the fritter, but tomato remains a familiar sandwich accompaniment.