Sweet pea

In Italy, this legume is called Cicerchia marchigiana and has been eaten from the wild for centuries! As an ornamental plant with its white, pink, and pale blue butterfly-like flowers, this lathyrus is by no means out of place. It grows to 60cm; give it a moist and sunny spot. The small, unripe pods are wonderfully tender, and around the Mediterranean, the ripe seeds are eaten as (dried) peas: a nutritious delicacy! However, do not put them on the menu more than once a week and cook them for 30 minutes; an excess of certain amino acids in the seed is harmful. In poor times, people contracted "Lathyrism," a nervous disease. Don't be afraid, around the Mediterranean, but also in Asia, this vegetable is eaten very regularly! Finally: as a fertilization plant, this lathyrus is even more effective than clover due to its rapid nitrogen fixation!

To avoid depleting your valuable soil, it is wise to occasionally let the soil lie fallow. During such a period, green manure is ideal: it brings nutrients into the soil through often present nitrogen fixation; it suppresses weed growth, promotes bacterial life, provides humus, and in some cases works against harmful nematodes.

Names:
Latin: Lathyrus sativus
Dutch: Zaailathyrus
Also: Lathyrus pea or Blue Lathyrus
English: Chickling Vetch