Ethiopian Lentils / Grass Pea

Lathyrus sativus. Ethiopian Lentils, also known as Grass Pea, are a hardy, frost-tolerant legume that grows exactly like peas. The plant grows vines  that reach around 4 feet with striking blue flowers. This species is traditionally grown as an “insurance crop” because it survives droughts, poor soils, and other harsh conditions that kill most other plants. In central Italy, it is considered a regional delicacy called cicerchie, and in parts of Spain it is known as almorta, where it is used in traditional soups and gruels.

Mature seeds should be soaked, boiled, or roasted and eaten sparingly as part of a varied diet. Grass Pea is also a high-performance nitrogen-fixing crop that improves soil structure. Its deep roots break up compacted ground, and the sprawling foliage provides ground cover to reduce erosion and attract pollinators. It contains L-homoarginine, a rare amino acid under study for cardiovascular benefits. This legume serves as an edible pea, a soil-building cover crop, and a hardy ornamental.

This seeds were one of the first varieties I grew when I began gardening and seed saving. I had obtained the seeds from a seed savers in the states and was informed they could be eaten raw like peas. I did this on many occasions! Never tons, as I am a seed saver, but nothing every happened to me. The info about it not being safe for human consumption is shocking to me as this was not the info I have been provided when I obtained the seeds. I am excited to have these back in my collection again and feel they are an important variety to maintain for insurance when other crops fails.

Please see what the Experimental Farm Network writes below:

“In central Italy, especially Umbria and Tuscany, it is a regional delicacy (in the “Cucina Povera” – poverty food – tradition) known as cicerchie, which is usually translated as “wild chickpea.” In parts of Spain, especially La Mancha, it is known as almorta, and it is often made into gruel-like soup eaten with bread. However, it is actually illegal in Spain to sell it as food for human consumption due to a curious — but very important — characteristic of this species.

The seeds contain a neurotoxic amino acid known as oxalyldiaminopropionic acid (usually shortened to ODAP). Eaten sporadically as just one of many protein sources, it has never been known to cause a problem. But when people eat grass pea as their only protein source over many months, it can cause a neurodegenerative condition known as “lathyrism” (named after this species) which can result in paralysis of the lower body. There are historic records of lathyrism outbreaks following extended famines in areas where grass pea is grown. From a farmer’s perspective, this is a wonderful crop — easy to grow, hard to kill, and nitrogen fixing – so it has long been planted as an “insurance crop.” Because it can survive prolonged droughts that kill everything else, during a drought-induced famine, it is often the only food around.

There are breeders out there working to develop grass peas with low or no ODAP, because it is a food so many people love – and it also offers nutritional benefits beyond protein and fiber: it’s one of the only dietary sources of L-homoarginine, a non-essential amino acid currently under intense study as a cardio-protective agent (based on a study that found low levels of L-homoarginine in the blood correlates with higher risk for heart problems). This is certainly not an everyday food, but for its resilience, soil improving ability, and taste – not to mention the beauty of its blue flowers — it is well worth having around.” — Experimental Farm Network

These seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.

Please note: These seeds are sold for planting and preservation purposes only; consume at your own risk.