Main Menu
Pigeon pea is a legume with which numerous gastronomic delights can be prepared and which in Panama is booming for the holiday epic.
Today, there is still debate about whether pigeon peas, as they are commonly called, originate from Africa or India; But what is known is that they have been cultivated for at least 3 thousand years.
The pigeon pea or pigeon pea (cajanus Cajan) is very similar to the pea, it is like a pea or bean and belongs to the Fabaceae family. There are two main types of pigeon peas, one with yellow flowers and short pods and another with longer pods and yellow and red, or purple, flowers. This plant can reach up to 5 meters in height, and its trifoliate leaves are perennial.
Among its beneficial characteristics are that it is a plant with the ability to fix a high amount of nitrogen in the soil and that, due to its high protein content, it is an excellent substitute for meat. It has between 18 and 25% protein and a high content of lysine and methionine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorus.
Pigeon pea also has medicinal properties; The flowers and green shoots are used for diseases of the respiratory system, bronchi and lungs; Poultices are prepared with the dried seeds to help disinfect and heal wounds, syrups are prepared with the resin from the trunk and the cooked leaves are used to wash sores, wounds, scabies and itching.
Pigeon pea flour increases the nutritional value of the pasta, providing more proteins and vitamins B1, B2 and E, fiber and minerals.
In Panamanian cuisine, pigeon pea is used as part of typical meals. They are regularly prepared in stews and are part of the accompaniment to white rice, with stewed meat, which can be chicken, beef or pork. Likewise, coconut milk is added to the stewed pigeon peas, resulting in an exquisite dish.
If the pigeon peas to be cooked are natural, after cleaning and washing them, they should be stored in a dry, well-closed container. If you prefer to buy it canned, it is prudent to clean them properly and store them preventing them from coming into contact with high temperatures or humidity.
Feel confident in our secure payment methods. We accept your preferred cards:
