A large slice of veal liver, some smoked mackerel fillets or a plate of kidneys, without skimping on vegetable oils, will fill you with vitamin B3. Let’s be honest, plants are very low on the list of foods rich in this vitamin. However, it would be a shame to neglect the friendly pea.
pea harvest
First observed in 1735, pellagra (literally “sour skin”) would not reveal its secrets until the 20th century. This disease causes severe dermatitis in areas exposed to the sun, violent diarrhea, attacks of dementia, and sometimes death in the most severe cases. Between 1906 and 1940, three million people were affected and 100,000 died. We now know that it is linked to malnutrition and deficiency of tryptophan, the precursor to vitamin B3. The first link between a nutritional factor and pellagra was established by Joseph Goldenberg in 1915 based on studies carried out with five volunteer prisoners. It was completed in 1926 during treatment trials in yeast-fed dogs with black tongue disease. Joseph Goldenberg deduces that yeast is rich in a pellagra preventive factor. This is why vitamin B3 was long called vitamin PP, and Americans spoke of vitamin G in honor of Goldenberg.
Here is its identity card: an annual herbaceous plant with hollow and branched stems, which grows in a loose bush from 40 cm to almost 2 m for the tallest varieties. Leaves composed of 2 or 3 pairs of entire, oval and opposite leaflets. The petiole ends in a prehensile tendril. Hermaphrodite flowers, white or violet, located in pairs in the axils of the upper leaves. Fruit in a pod that contains the seeds.
Culture
It will be necessary to sow between February and June. In temperate climate regions, also sow from November to February for an early harvest. Place seeds 2 to 3 cm apart and 1.5 to 2 cm deep in furrows 30 cm apart for dwarf varieties and 40 cm apart for peas. Snow pea varieties are planted later in late spring, around May-June.
Hoe, weed and weed, keep the soil fresh by watering. Peas do not like calcareous soils, heavy soils and excessive summer heat.
Later, during periods of heat or drought, cover liberally. Three weeks later, mound the young plants to support them and make them strong. At the same time, set the oars for climbing varieties.
Harvest as the pods ripen, they should appear very full under your finger and be very green.
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