Are cow pea pods edible?
Cowpea (also known as a black-eyed pea) is grown mainly for its edible beans, but what many people don’t know is that the crop can be grown as a vegetable. Its tender leaves and young pods are also edible and can be used to make delicious and nutritious vegetable dishes.
Can cow peas be eaten raw?
Can you eat raw cowpeas? Cowpeas can be grown in many cultures as a backyard garden plot, and the greens are actually more packed with nutrition than even the peas themselves. All the edible parts of the plants must be cooked first, for human consumption… they are not edible raw.
Is cowpeas good for health?
They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins and many other important vitamins and minerals. There is good evidence that they can help reduce blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels and help maintain a healthy gut.
What do cowpeas taste like?
Many folks around my part of the world have never tasted fresh cowpeas either. Fresh cowpeas have a completely different flavor – somewhat grassy (in a good way!) and bright. The young “snaps,” too immature for hulling, are frequently thrown in with fresh peas for interest.
What are the benefits of cowpeas leaves?
Cowpea leaves are known to be rich in proteins, vitamins such as provitamin A, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C, and minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron (Kirakou, 2014; Xiong et al., 2016).
What is the difference between cowpeas and Black Eyed Peas?
Black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) are a variety of the cowpea and are part of the family of beans & peas (Leguminosae or Fabaceae in the USA). Although called a pea, it is actually a bean. Both peas and beans are legumes, and both have edible seeds and pods.
Do you need to soak cow peas?
The black-eyed pea, which is also known as a cowpea, doesn’t necessarily need to be soaked. But if you find yourself short on time, soaking black-eyed peas can make a true difference in regards to cooking time.
How do you soak cow peas?
Soak 1 cup (260 g) of dried cowpeas in cold water for at least 6 hours. Put the cowpeas into a large pot and pour in enough cold water to cover them by at least 2 inches (5.1 cm). Then, leave them at room temperature to soak for at least 6 hours so they soften and swell.
Why are cowpeas called cowpeas?
The first written reference of the word ‘cowpea’ appeared in 1798 in the United States. The name was most likely acquired due to their use as a fodder crop for cows. Black-eyed pea, a common name used for the unguiculata cultivar group, describes the presence of a distinctive black spot at the hilum of the seed.
Do you have to soak cowpeas?
Are cow peas acidic?
On the other hand, cowpea has been reported to be a low pH food [62] . A low pH could improve protein digestibility [63] and may also be an indicator of a reduced rate of spoilage [64]. …
What to do with the young peas from a cowpea?
The tender, young pods can be eaten just like green beans. The larger, still green pods can be shelled, and the peas can be boiled and eaten fresh. (I actually boiled some in chicken stock, and they were fantastic!)
When to pick the pods from a cowpea plant?
Pick your pods as they mature or wait until all the pods on the plant are ready and simply uproot the plant. Keep in mind your intended culinary purposes before you decide how and when you are going to harvest. While young pods are best eaten canned, frozen, or fresh, dry cowpeas need to be soaked and boiled before you eat them.
What are the benefits of eating a cowpea plant?
While the beans are the primary focus of the cowpea plant, the leaves, pea pods, and green peas are also edible and can deliver a powerful burst of nutrients and minerals to the human body. In culinary traditions, cowpeas were important complementary dietary items to traditional grain-based meals, as they are packed with protein.
What to do with iron clay cow peas?
In the late summer, the Iron Clay Cowpeas will produce seed in pods that make a superb food for turkey and quail. Iron Clay Cowpeas are a highly-preferred annual season legume which is best used when planting a combination of plants for foraging wildlife food plots.