Yellow split peas are the dried, peeled, and split seeds of field peas (Pisum sativum). Their mild, earthy flavor and creamy texture make them especially useful for soups, dals, stews, and purées. Split peas cook down naturally as they soften, creating body without the need for dairy or thickeners. They provide substantial amounts of plant protein and fiber along with potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, thiamin, and choline. Yellow split peas also provide slow-digesting starch and fermentable fibers that feed beneficial gut microbes and support the production of short-chain fatty acids in the colon, making them an economical and nourishing staple for plant-forward meals.