Kidney bean

Black-Eyed Peas The plant that gives us the Black-Eyed Peas, which is not very popular with housewives in big cities but is loved and widely consumed in some regions of Anatolia, is from the Legume family. There are several important species of black-eyed peas, the origins of which are found in very different regions of the world, and the homeland of the common black-eyed peas (V. unguicilata) grown in our country is the African continent. This type of black-eyed peas, cultivated in Western and Southern Anatolia in Turkey, is an annual, climbing herbaceous plant that can grow up to 30-300 cm.

The stem and leaves of the black-eyed pea, which was considered among the beans until recently but is now defined in its own special genus, resemble those of the bean. The cross-section of its pods, which are formed by its flowers that bloom in white, pink or red, is circular (i.e. round). The pods of the black-eyed pea seeds (kernels), which develop inside these pods and resemble beans and vary in number, are black.

Black-eyed peas are used in plain oil dishes and salads. A special dish called fava is prepared by boiling its seeds in water, crushing them, and seasoning them with plenty of lemon and olive oil. (When black-eyed peas are not available, broad beans are used instead of fava.) We think that our big city ladies do not use this very nutritious vegetable because they do not know about dishes made with black-eyed peas.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES

The important nutritional values contained in an average of 100 gr. dried black-eyed peas are as follows: 343 calories 22.8 gr. protein: 20 gr. carbohydrate: 0 cholesterol; 1.5 gr. fat; 2 gr. fiber: 138 mg. phosphorus: 74 mg. calcium; 5.8 mg. iron; 6.7 mg. sodium; 260 mg. potassium: 30 IU vitamin A; 1.05 mg. vitamin B1: 0.21 mg. vitamin B2 and 2.2 mg. vitamin B3.

BENEFITS TO OUR HEALTH

Although it is a very unpretentious and unpopular vegetable, black-eyed peas, which contain important nutritional values that are seen above and attract attention, have the following beneficial effects on health:

Like all legumes, black-eyed peas also reduce high cholesterol levels in the blood.

With its high fiber content, it regulates insulin and sugar in the blood, so it is a good food for diabetics.

For the same reason, it is good for constipation, hemorrhoids and some other colon disorders.

Since it is a food rich in iron minerals, it is also good for anemia.

Since it is rich in potassium, it lowers high blood pressure.

In order to benefit from all these important health benefits, experts recommend that black-eyed peas be included in our diet and that we eat 100-120 grams of fresh peas or 55-60 grams of dried peas per day, alternating with other legumes.

PRODUCTION AND CULTIVATION IN BRIEF

Black-eyed peas, which are propagated by their seeds (dry grains), are plants of warm and temperate climates. In our country, they are generally grown in the coastal areas of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. The plant's requirements, similar to beans, are warm soil and a warm and long growing season. Since it is a legume, black-eyed peas enrich the soil in which it is grown through green manure and are grown in a very similar way to beans.