Cowpea (Beans)

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a grain legume largely grown in the northern part of Nigeria which has a savannah type of vegetation with light rainfall. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cowpea, as it produces over 2.7 million metric tonnes of cowpeas with an average yield per hectare of 417 kg. It produces the white and brown varieties

• The leaves and growth points can be picked and used as a vegetable dish.
• The leaves can be dried and used as a meat substitute. ...
• The green seeds are sometimes roasted like peanuts and these are then used as a substitute for coffee.
• Ground dried seeds mixed with onions and spices can be fried in oil.