Pesach Faqs

Q. While peas and beans are not allowed for Pesach, how about the leaves and tendrils of the pea plant? There are no pods, just the tender greens from the tips of the new plant, before the pea plant flowers and the pods begin to form.

A. Rav Schwartz ZT"L ruled, based on Yad Yitzchok 3:92, that only the bean or seed portion of a kitnios food is forbidden but the stalk and other plant material is permitted. Therefore, one would be permitted to eat the leaves or tendrils of a pea or bean plant on Pesach. However, once the bean begins forming that part of the plant is forbidden. For example, alfalfa sprouts commonly have miniature/immature beans at the end of each sprout, and that bean portion is forbidden. Thus, for all practical purposes one may not eat alfalfa sprouts on Pesach because although the sprouts per se are permitted, the bean is not.