Buying: Although frozen peas are very popular, when buying fresh peas, look for uniformly bright green pods, in general. All varieties should be firm and look as though they are ready to pop. Snow peas are flat and a little translucent so you can see the outline of the peas inside. Snap peas should be round and.....snappy! Since snow and snap peas are edible whole and raw - the pod is just as sweet as the pea - choose ones that you would want to eat - obviously - whereas English shell peas need to be taken out of the pods. Although snap peas and shell peas often look kinda similar, biting into one can identify the difference between the two - the pod of the shell pea is inedible and you will just keep chewing and chewing and left with some fibrous green strings in your mouth. The pods should not be flimsy, loose, wrinkled, or have turned white.
don't buy.
don't buy with this wrinkled, white look and flaccid feel. i hate the word flaccid.
Storing: Peas are best kept in a tight container in the cold part of your fridge. Heat will convert the sugar into starch much quicker. They are obviously the best quality when first picked, and it's hard to resist snacking on snap peas - I love seeing kids snack on them like candy. Use them within 3 days.
Medical: full of protein, carbs, fiber, iron and vitamin C. They are known to lower blood cholesterol and maintain blood sugar levels.
Tip: a quart of whole shell peas will serve a generous portion for one person.
Wasabi covered dried peas are delicious!
Peas used to be called "pease"....I wonder if there's any correlation with Pease International Airport!
Peas are technically a fruit because they hold the seeds, but are treated as vegetables when cooking.
My mum used to serve peas with mashed potatoes so they would stick on the fork rather than rolling all over the place!
shell peas
snap peas
snow peas
Recipe: Peas like cooler temperatures which is why they're associated with spring time flavours, but with all the rain the Seacoast has had, they are very bountiful now! Snap peas are crunchy and sweet, whereas snow peas have a subtler flavour. (I can't stop writing with an Irish accent). Although snap and snow peas can be eaten whole and raw, it is also possible to cook with them. Snap peas should be cooked rather quickly - no more than two minutes - and snow peas are delicious sauteed with other vegs in a stir fry ("can I wok with these" was a very awkward, confusing conversation, but yes, you can walk and snack on snow peas as well as cook them in a wok). Peas can be boiled or steamed. Try grilling shell peas and eating them out of the shell like edamame!
peas can be added to salads, curries, soups (pureed pea soup or veg), as a pesto, pureed as a crostini topping, delicious with mint and just raw!
Mushy Peas
Extra virgin olive oil
1 quart English shelled peas, shelled or 1 pound frozen peas
handful of fresh, chopped mint
lemon juice
salt and pepper
Eat the olive oil in a pan and add the shelled peas and mint. Simmer for about 10 minutes then transfer to a food processor or a hand-held blender (best thing ever!) squeeze lemon juice over the peas and season to taste. served great with fried fish and chips!
Peas and Sun-dried Tomato Dip on Endive Spears
- Inspired by Giada
1 lb peas
8 oz sun-dried tomatoes, drained
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
endive spears for serving
combine the top 3 ingredients in a food processor until finely chopped. add the extra virgin olive oil until mixed in well but not to a puree. mix with salt and pepper to taste then transfer to a bowl. serve along with the endive spears for dipping or for an easy, serve-able dish, place a scoop of the dip onto the endive spear and serve on a platter.
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