Food of the Month: Peas

Peas please! Springtime is prime time for fresh peas but there are several varieties from which to choose: snow peas, English peas or snap peas. How are they different? Let's explore!

Snow Peas

These peas are also called Chinese pea pods and they are mild and slightly sweet. They appear flat and the shape of the beans can be seen from the outside. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked taking care to discard the strings along the edges.

English Peas

These peas are also referred to as garden peas or sweet peas and they taste sweet and starchy. They appear in rounded pods and are easiest to cook with when bought frozen and thawed rather than shelling them since the pods are not eaten. The peas can be eaten raw or cooked. Check out the recipe in this blog for a quick and easy meal that uses frozen peas.

Snap Peas

These peas are also called sugar snap peas and have a sweet flavor profile that is a cross between snow peas and English peas. The pods appear rounder than English pea pods but like snow peas have strings along the edges that need to be removed. They can also be enjoyed raw or cooked.

Quinoa "Fried Rice"

Ingredients:

2 medium carrots peeled and diced or 1 cup of grated carrots
1 small white onion, diced
1/2 cup frozen peas
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups cooked and chilled quinoa
2 green onions, thinly sliced
3-4 tbsp. coconut aminos (or more to taste)
1 can chick peas, rinsed and drained

Instructions:

1. In a few tbsp. water or vegetable broth saute carrots, onions, peas and garlic for 5 minutes until carrots and onions are soft.  Season with salt and pepper.

2. Add cooked quinoa, green onions and coconut aminos.  Continue stirring and cooking for another 3 minutes to "fry" the rice.  

3. Add in the chick peas until warmed through. 

Note:  Add broccoli, snap peas, or Bok choy for additional vegetables or to replace those in the recipe.  You may need to adjust the spices accordingly.