Cicerchie
ORIGIN: Italy
The cicerchie (Lathyrus sativus), rich in proteins useful for the heart, teeth, bones and muscles, belong to the legume family. Chickpeas are one of the oldest legumes and most consumed by our ancestors. Traces of it were found already in Mesopotamian with dating back to more than 8000 years ago.
They are grown mostly in Europe, Asia and Africa and in more popular areas they are usually also called by the name of "Pea of India" or "Grass Pea". In Italy the cicerchie are cultivated in Puglia, Umbria, Lazio, Marche and Molise.
As already mentioned above, the cicerchia is a legume particularly rich in proteins. It also contains calcium, phosphorus and vitamins of various types, especially PP and group B. Fiber is also present in good quantities and despite being low in fat, this legume is very energetic, able to stimulate memory and improve the overall muscle tone of the body.
Properties and Benefits
- Energetic, they are in fact legumes recommended in case of weakness or convalescence;
- They lower cholesterol. Dietary fiber is useful for reducing the rate of cholesterol in the blood with benefits for the cardiovascular system;
- Excellent digestive properties with numerous benefits to memory and metabolism.
The use of cicerchie as a side dish provides simple condiments that do not cover the characteristic flavor but that, on the contrary, enhance it. We refer to extra virgin olive oil and very common aromatic herbs such as thyme, oregano and rosemary.