Peas                                                                           Pisum sativum

 
 

Storage Tips

Keep garden peas in the pod until just before you plan to use them to preserve their quality.

Always refrigerate peas in a perforated plastic bag to prevent their sugar from being converted into starch as well as maintain their nutrient content. Use within 5 days of harvest for best quality.

You may freeze peas but they will lose their crunchy quality. Shelled peas should be removed from the shell before freezing.

 

Cooking Tips

Prior to use, wash all types of peas thoroughly and shell garden peas.  Pinch off the stem end and pull the string the length of the pod for garden peas and snow peas. Sugar snap peas only require the tips of the pod be removed.

Peas are great for stir-fries, crudités, salads, or steamed.

 

Uses

▸Substitute thawed frozen peas for ½ the avocado in guacamole recipe.

 
 

 

Peas originated in northern India and date back to 10,000 B.C. They belong to the legume family and are available both fresh and dried. We will only discuss the fresh types here including green peas, snow peas, and sugar snap peas.

Snow peas are edible pod peas that are harvested before the seeds within the pod are mature. They are often used in stir-fry recipes. Sugar snap peas, another edible pod pea, were developed in the 1970s as a cross between green peas and snow peas. They are plump, tender, and very sweet.

 

What to Look for When Purchasing

Garden peas sold in the pod should be green and appear “filled” yet not too large. Select medium-sized pods and reject overly large ones or pods that are puffy, yellow, or dull. Snow peas should be flattened and shiny for the best quality. If you encounter snow pea pods in which the peas inside are bulging, throw them back. Sugar snap peas should also be bright green, firm, and plump without overly developed seeds.

 
 
Text Box: Peas are available from late May through July

Provided to you by

Wisconsin Fresh Market Vegetable Growers Association

 

 
 

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size = 1 c cooked

·  Calories  – 231

·  Proteins (g) – 16

·  Carbohydrates (g) – 41

·  Fiber (g)– 16

·  Fat (g) – 0.7

·  Thiamin (mg) – 0.4

·  Riboflavin (mg) – 0.1

·  Niacin (mg) – 1.0

·  Folate (mcg) - 127

·  Potassium (mg) – 709

 

 

 

Peas are low in fat and high in fiber and protein.