peas

Overview

Green peas are a type of legume that grow in inedible pods.

Identification

Green peas are small and round and encased in an inedible green pod. The pods measure about 2-3 inches in length and are filled with a single row of 2-10 light green coloured peas.

Nutrition Info

One cup of green peas has about 117 calories, 7.9g of protein, 21.0g of carbohydrates, 7.4g of fiber, 8.2g of sugar, and 0.6g of fat.

Green peas are rich in vitamins C, A, K, and folate. They are also a good source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

Selection

When purchasing fresh green peas, look for pods that are visibly loaded with peas and heavy in hand. Avoid yellow pods or those with wrinkled surfaces.

You can also buy canned or frozen green peas. If purchasing canned, make sure the can is not damaged and look for a low sodium variety. If buying them frozen, make sure the bag is not damaged or open, and that the peas are not frozen into one big clump.

Storage

Store fresh green peas in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you want to freeze your green peas, remove them from the pod and store them in an airtight container. Use frozen green peas within 6 months of freezing.

Preparation

First you will need to shell your peas. To do so, snap the top of the pod off and pull down to remove the string from the seam. Next, split the pod open and run your fingers along the interior to detach the peas. (It’s fun!)

Steaming:

Once podded, add water to a saucepan and place a steamer basket overtop. Make sure that the water is below the bottom of the steamer basket. Place the fresh peas in the steamer basket and place the basket in the saucepan over the boiling water. Cover the saucepan with a lid and allow to steam 2 minutes. You’ll know the peas are done cooking when they are crisp, tender, and bright green. Remove the steamer basket from the saucepan and serve.

Boiling:

If you don’t have a steaming basket and prefer to boil the peas, simply bring water to a boil in a saucepan and add the peas. Boil for 2-3 minutes until crisp, tender, and bright green. Once done, drain the peas and enjoy!