Lentils are an important part of the local cuisine. They are eaten as soups or are cooked with other food ingredients, such as rice, and herbs, such as onions and garlic.
Lentils (Lens culinaris) are high in nutrients and low in calories. They contain little fat, mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and significant amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Lentils are a good source of carbohydrates and have a low glycemic index. They also have fiber, vitamins A, B and C and iron. Eating vitamin C containing foods with lentils assist the absorption of iron from the body.