Give Peas a Chance
Give Peas a Chance
Are you eating in season with us? Well it’s time to talk about Peas as they are being harvested right now on our farm. Peas are an annual, cool season vegetable grown for their edible pods and seeds. We plant them in the ground very early in the spring so they can mature and be… Read More »
Are you eating in season with us? Well it’s time to talk about Peas as they are being harvested right now on our farm.
Peas are an annual, cool season vegetable grown for their edible pods and seeds. We plant them in the ground very early in the spring so they can mature and be ready for harvest while the weather is still on the cooler side, which they prefer. An old farmer’s rule of thumb is that you plant peas on St. Patrick’s day, a great time to remember to get your peas in the ground here in New Jersey.
Peas grow on a tendril climbing vine and we sow the three major types of peas on our farm, snow, sugar snap and sweet. Snow peas are tender, flat, stingless pods that are entirely edible. Snap peas have thicker pods that are edible and contain larger peas inside. Sweet peas, aka, English Shelling peas, have edible pods, however, most prefer to shell them to remove the peas and eat without the pods.
Peas are not a type of crop that stores well for long periods of time and are best eaten freshly picked for optimal flavor and taste. If storing peas for a short period of time, store them in their shell placed in a perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator and they should keep for approximately 3-5 days. Our peas are harvested fresh every day for optimal flavor and nutritional value. If you are looking to preserve peas you can try canning, freezing or drying to have them later in the season.
A single serving of peas has been said by health experts to contain more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter or a whole egg. Nutritionists have also said that one serving of peas may contain as much vitamin C as two large apples. Peas are a healthy choice and are fat, salt and cholesterol free, and are a good source of vitamins and fiber and just plain delicious!
Peas add a burst of fresh flavor and nutrition to any dish. You can try pureeing peas with chickpeas for a hearty homemade hummus, add peas to curries, stews or stir fries. Peas are also best in omelets, quiches or frittatas or try substituting them for other vegetables in your favorite recipe. We recommend eating them raw or lightly blanched on a salad, toast or try making this fresh appetizer recipe prepared by our Culinary & Education Specialist, Miss Jenn! Tag us in your own creations using peas on social media, we look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes from our farm kitchen to yours!
