LEGUMES

Do you have some umes for your leg?   Most people don't know it but a ume is a Japanese apricot.  Are you totally confused?   Sorry about going off on a tangent.

A legume is a special kind of plant or what we call the fruit of one of those plants.  Some common legumes are beans, peas, peanuts, alfalfa, clover, chickpeas and soybeans.  These things are good for you and they are important in crop rotation. 

All this was about a build up to ask you which of the legumes do you think are the most eaten in the world; beans, peanuts, lentils or peas?  Know that there are several types of each of these.  I'm trying not to make this too complicated with classifications and such. 

The answer is chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans).  Most are consumed in the Mediterranean countries, the Middle East and South Asia but are eaten everywhere.  Chickpeas are used to make humus and falafel.  Now we're talking about the most common foods in many countries.  This is a food that can sustain a nation. 

Be kind to chickpeas; they are your friends.  Gas has given legumes a bad name - forget it.