Peanuts are an important legume crop.
The pea family, the family Fabaceae, is one of the largest flowering plant families encompassing more than 18,000 described species, with only the sunflower and orchid families of plants being larger in size. These important plants include legumes; in fact, the family was formerly known as Leguminosae because of its fruit, which is a legume, or bean pod. Legume plants provide protein-rich foods, while their roots aid gardeners by enriching the soil for future crops. Does this Spark an idea?
Peanuts
Peanut butter is only one of the many products of the legume known as the peanut.
Peanuts originated in South America, and by the time of Columbus were being grown in the warm regions of the Americas. The root system of peanuts -- and all legumes -- forms nodules composed of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which begin a chain reaction resulting in the enrichment of the soil with usable nitrogen. The peanut flower sends its pollinated ovary into the soil, where it eventually ripens into an edible peanut. Peanut products include peanut butter and peanut oil, as well as whole peanuts.
Soybeans
Soy products provide a protein staple for a variety of cultural cuisines.
Soybeans are a legume that consists of up to 40 percent protein, and contains seven of the eight essential amino acids. Soymilk and tofu are a valuable protein source in Asian countries, and are increasing in popularity among health-conscious consumers elsewhere. Easy digestibility and important nutritional qualities make soy products useful in vegetarian diets. Soymilk can be used as a substitute for cow's milk in those with lactose-intolerance. Soy sprouts, which are a good source of vitamin C, are eaten raw. Meat-product substitutes such as lunchmeat, hamburgers and hotdogs are commercially available made from soy. Soybeans can be eaten raw or roasted, like peanuts.
Alfalfa and Clover
Alfalfa sends its roots deep into the soil.
Alfalfa and clover are legumes often planted by farmers for their ability to enrich the soil with usable nitrogen. Alfalfa is grown to be used as animal fodder, and clover is grown as green manure as well as animal fodder. Green manure is a crop grown to enrich the soil, attract beneficial insects and improve the texture of certain soils, in preparation for the later planting of wheat or other food crops. Alfalfa and clover honey are commercially produced from the flowering crops. Fresh alfalfa sprouts are sold in grocery stores for eating on salads and sandwiches.
Common and Uncommon Beans
A rich variety of colorful, nutritious beans are available to the home cook.
Beans of every kind come from legume plants. There are dozens of varieties of beans to use fresh or dried. Green, yellow, blue or purple string beans, lima beans and peas of many kinds are eaten fresh. Black, red, white, pink and pinto beans, as well as black-eyed peas, pearl barley and lentils, to name a few, are purchased dry. In addition to being good sources of protein and fiber, some beans, including small red beans, rival blueberries in antioxidant levels. The trees of the Sonoran desert are almost all legume plants, including paloverde and mesquite. Paloverde beans are edible. Mesquite beans are commercially available, and are eaten fresh or are ground into flour for baking.
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