Nandolo Pigeon Peas

Nandolo Pigeon Peas

Cajanus cajan

This is an outstanding traditional African legume. Widely grown across Africa, it was introduced to the America's via the slave trade and is often referred to as a Congo Pea. This is the main source of protein for many people in the subcontinent, especially in the dry season when very little animal protein is available. Widely grown, this is a critical crop in rain-fed agricultural systems. If you are looking for a drought resistant or dry-land legume for your garden, homestead or permaculture system, this is one you should really look at planting.

It is eaten in a multitude of ways, the green leaves and shoots are eaten as a vegetable green, the unripe pods are eaten streamed or boiled, both green and dried peas are eaten and it's split and served as dal, finally it can be sprouted and then cooked for a totally different texture and flavor.

It grows into a small shrub or tree and in areas where there is no killing frost, it will establish as a perennial and grow into a highly productive, ornamental small tree.

This variety was collected in the Mangochi district in Southern Malawi (used to be called Fort Johnson) and is a very tasty variety, especially noted for it's use as a green pod vegetable and as a green / dry pea.

Approx 30 seeds