Soak the chick peas overnight or for eight hours to soften them. Place in a pot with ample water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer the chick peas until soft, about one hour for the hulled kind, about two for the more common supermarket variety dried chick peas. Remove, rinse and strain.

Place the chick peas in a food processor and pulse on and off with the metal blade until they are coarse and mealy.

Combine the ground chickpeas together with the onion, tomato, mint, salt and pepper. Add enough flour to make a dense mass that can be shaped into individual patties.

Spread the remaining flour onto a large plate. Take about two tablespoons at a time of the chick pea mixture an shape into large patties. Heat about a quarter inch of oil in a large heavy skillet. Dredge the patties lightly in flour and fry until golden, flipping once to cook on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels. Continue until all the chickpea patties are fried, replenishing the oil if necessary.