Traditional food uses of Vicia articulata (Hornem.) in Italy.

Legume species have been cultivated for millennia, being staple foods for people living in all continents. In addition to the most important species, some Vicia species, have been or still are grown and consumed by some local communities. The sigle-flower vetch (Vicia articulata) is present from West to East side of Mediterranean sea. In Italy the cultivation and consumption of seeds survive in two small areas: Sant'Antioco Island (Sardinia) where is cultivated the "lenticchia nera di Calasetta" and two villages of Apulia region where is cultivated the "lenticchia nera di Soleto".