1. Legumes and Nuts

2. Structure
Legumes are plants whose seeds grow in pods that split along both sides when ripe.
Black beans, dry peas, pinto beans, soybeans, white beans, are examples of legumes.

3. Nutritional Contribution
complex carbohydrates
protein
B vitamins
Iron
Calcium
Potassium
Trace minerals

4. Types of Legumes
Canned
Dry
Fresh/Frozen

5. Selection and Storage
Choose legumes with no visible damage, uniform color and size; choose cans with no dents or bulges; choose nuts that do not have broken shells or choose fresh shelled ones
Store dry and canned legumes in a cool dry pantry; fresh legumes for up to 4 days in the refrigerator; frozen in the coldest part of the freezer; Store shelled nuts and seeds tightly sealed in the refrigerator or freezer and unshelled nuts in a cool and dry pantry

6. Preparing Dry Legumes Sort (remove pebbles and odd looking dry beans)
Rinse (several times to remove dirt/field dust)
Soak (all except split peas and lentils)
Simmer