Interesting Facts About Lentils

There’s a lot of interesting information associated with the rustic, humble-looking lentil. This pulse legume most likely originated in the Mediterranean area. It is the oldest pulse crop with evidence of its existence dating back to 8,000 BC. Today, each type of lentil has a prominent place in health-conscious diets. They are a powerhouse of nutrition and affordable food to incorporate into many dietary plans. They contain about 25% protein making them one of the top 3 best plant-based sources of protein.

Interesting Facts

In the past, lentils were eaten by royals. This is substantiated by the discovery of them in Egyptian tombs that date back to 2400 BC. They have also been a popular food among the poor. The lentil has been called “poor man’s meat” and used as a meat substitute for centuries. Today, they are a popular substitute for ground beef when preparing burgers, meatloaf, and numerous other dishes. Lentil fields and lentil stew are mentioned in the Bible.

Types of Lentils

When cooking lentils, each of the five types of lentils have a different cooking time. The brown type are the most common type. This type has an earthy flavor and is exceptionally versatile. Green lentils also have an earthiness with an additional hint of peppery flavor in them. Green lentils require more cooking time than brown lentils. They retain their shape and defined texture even after cooking. Red lentils have a sweet, nutty flavor. They become somewhat mushy when cooked. When cooking lentils to use in soups or stews, red lentils, and yellow lentils are good choices. Yellow lentils have a nutty flavor. Yellow lentils are frequently in Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. The flavor of black lentils is similar to black beans. Black lentils can be boiled or roasted.

Lentil Pasta

Lentil pasta has become a popular “healthy” recipe ingredient. It has more protein, fiber, and iron than wheat pasta. Typically, its only ingredient is has lentil flour.

There are numerous recipes for an Italian dish called lentil pasta which involves cooking lentils and pasta in the same pot with various other ingredients to create a flavorful, healthy main dish. This dish is an excellent affordable family meal that provides a lot of nutrition, is easy to prepare, and fits well into a busy lifestyle.