lentil

Cultivated for ages in Asia, the lentil formed the staple diet of many poor, rural peoples. The lentil is a dry, flat seed produced by the lentil plant, that is shelled and cooked before eaten. The lentils can be green, yellow, red, pink, brown or grey in color.

Lentils are an excellent source of protein, making them a great meat substitute for the vegetarian diet.