Summary:

Lathyrus aphaca, known as the yellow pea or yellow vetchling, is an annual species in the family Fabaceae with yellow flowers and solitary, pea-like fruits. It originated in the Middle East and has spread throughout Europe and beyond as a weed of cultivated fields and roadsides. 

Abstract:

Yellow split pea is known as Lappeh in western Asia and particularly in Iran. It is the main ingredient of the Iranian food khoresh gheymeh, which is served on the side of white rice in Iranian cuisine. It is also an important ingredient in the famous Təbriz küftəsi, a kofta speciality from northern Iran.

In north India, they are generally known as matar ki daal, sometimes used as a cheaper variation for the very popular chhole on stalls offering it.

Yellow split peas are most often used to prepare dal in Guyana, Suriname, Mauritius, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Fiji. Referred to as simply dal, it is prepared similarly to dals found in India, but also may be used in a variety of other recipes.

Yellow split peas are used to make a sweet snack in Beijing cuisine. Wandouhuang (豌豆黄) is a sweetened and chilled pease pudding, sometimes flavored with osmanthus blossoms and dates. In Europe, the Greek “fáva” is a dish made with yellow split peas pureed to create an appetizer or meze.Furthermore, in the winter the Dutch serve a dish called erwtensoep which is primarily made from green split peas. In the Caribbean split peas are a key ingredient in many Indian dishes. Moroccan Berber cuisine has “tamaraqt” or yellow split pea soup with olive oil and cumin added. Salt, garlic and onion can be added to taste. It is eaten with bread.

Source: “The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species”. Retrieved 7 March 2015