Legumes are seeds or fruits that grow in pods . The term, which comes from the Latin word legūmen , is also used to name the fruit produced by legume species .
There are multiple types of legumes: some measure a few millimeters and others are fifty centimeters in size. The shapes are also very varied.
Due to their nutritional properties, legumes are a food valued by humans , which is even used to feed animals . Many centuries ago, various peoples began to cultivate them to use them as a source of vitamins, proteins, fiber, carbohydrates and lipids.
Among the most consumed legumes are peas (also called peas ) , chickpeas , beans , broad beans , green beans , lentils , and peanuts . ) and soybeans ( soya ). There are multiple ways to prepare them.
In order to follow a healthy, complete and balanced diet, it is necessary to include legumes, in any of their varieties. And these bring with them a long list of benefits for the body such as the following:
-They are rich in fiber, which, among other things, helps improve intestinal transit. In this case, those that provide the greatest amount of that are lentils, chickpeas and white beans.
-No less important is that they have little fat.
-They manage to provide the body with a large amount of vitamins as well as minerals.
-They are a very special source of nutrients.
-Although it is often thought otherwise, legumes alone do not make you fat. The foods that usually accompany those in certain dishes such as chorizo, bacon, bacon... are fattening.
Precisely because they are so healthy, it is recommended to take them at least two or three times a week through their different varieties. And it is best to eat them at noon.
In addition to all of the above, you are interested in knowing that the chickpea is considered the most complete legume. Because? Because, apparently, it includes what are all the essential amino acids.
At a general level, there are certain preparation steps that are common to all legumes. The usual thing is, in the first stage, to place them in a container with water for at least twelve hours to soften them. Then they must be cooked: the most common method is to boil them . These two procedures also allow the elimination of any toxic substances.
Many stews and stews have legumes as ingredients. Madrid stew , stew and locro are some of the recipes that are prepared with them. With this food you can even make salads or, by processing them, creams and hamburgers , for example.
Likewise, we cannot ignore that one of the most international dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine is also based on legumes. We are referring to hummus, which is a cream of cooked chickpeas that contains, in addition to those, lemon, paprika, olive oil, garlic and sesame seeds.
It should be noted that various legumes are sold as preserves . In this case, the product is placed in an airtight container (such as a can or box) for marketing.