Thursday, July 13, 2006

Fresh Green Peas in a Pod

Food is So Cool!

I found a great website that touts the health benefits of various fruits and vegetables. I learned a lot. For instance, did you know that peas are part of the legume family and provide good to very good amounts of 8 vitamins, 7 minerals, dietary fiber and protein? They are scientifically known as Pisum sativum. Sounds scary, does'nt it?

I was amazed to read that only about 5% of the peas grown are sold fresh; the rest are either frozen or canned. I did know however, that frozen peas are preferable to canned peas because they retain their flavor and have lower sodium content.

Feeling a little feel fatigued and sluggish? Eat your peas! According to the website green peas are one of the important foods to include in your diet because they provide nutrients that help support the energy-producing cells and systems of the body.

I was also suprised to find out the classic way of cooking garden peas. It bewildered me so much that I wanted tell you all about it.

Here it is:
Line a saucepan with several leaves of washed, Boston or Bibb lettuce and then place the peas on the lettuce. You can then add fresh herbs and spices if you desire. Cover the peas with more lettuce leaves, add one or two tablespoons of water, and cover the pan. Cook the peas for about 15 to 20 minutes, after which they should be tender and flavorful.

Pretty wild, huh? I wish I would have had this info before I cooked my peas. I just boiled them for about 5 minutes and they were still a little hard. Flavorful but hard. I used them more as a garnish than an ingredient in a leftover chicken dish I concocted. I'll post it soon!

Check out the website it has a lot of interesting facts about the history behind the vegetable, its calories, health benefits, cooking methods and more!


How do you feel about peas?

7 comments:

barb said...

I have been to that site and have gotten a lot of useful info.
I buy the petite peas frozen and when I want to add them to a dish I grab a small amount but them in a strainer and pour boiling water over them.....let them drain well and they are perfect for a salad garnish. But yes I am a pea lover even homemade pea soup.

Annie said...

Thanks for the tip about pouring boiling water on them. The frozen peas are really handy!

The Cookbook Junkie said...

I like peas (even canned) but I really don't eat them very often anymore. My son loved them as a baby but I don't feed him too many now since he's allergic to peanuts and it's in the back of my mind that he'll develop an allergy to peas too (they're both legumes). It's not that likely but the fear is there.

I do keep frozen peas on hand to add color to some dishes, like fried rice.

Oh, I love mushy peas and salmon. I saw that on Nigella Lawson's show. Hot cooked peas are processed with garlic (that has been boiled with the peas), butter, creme fraiche (or cream) served with salmon that is pan fried with bacon. Yum!!!

Anonymous said...

green peas are delicious when they are fresh it has a different flavor all together.I ate them mostly when I was a teen ager my mom made them even with rice .Yum!I still eat them now but not as often,maybe I should?

Dayngr said...

Hi there! I surfed over here from Trace's site (My Life Italian) and I am SOOOOOOOOOO Glad I did. Of course, now that I have I'm hungry and must go forage for food in the vast emptiness I call my refrigerator!

Unknown said...

I'm not a big fan of peas. With a choice of vegetables before me, those will NOT be on my plate...well, at least English peas. My mom did the same thing with vegetables when I was little...eat as many as you are old.

Annie said...

Lue, That's pretty funny. It's it crazy how we were all tormented as kids with a food we hated? Actually canned Peas & Carrots and mashed potatoes were on my plate almost every night as a kid and it made me hate them. Thank God for my dog under the table! It took me a while, but I like peas now.

Paula, I saw a recipe like the one you mention, only it was more of a sauce I just can't think of where. That's going to bug me now. Sounds good though.

Bambola, Yes you should eat them more often, I'm sure you could skip the broccoli once a week, right?

Dayngrgirl, Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully you'll find something in the house to eat, maybe peas?

Claire, Now that's two veggies you don't like- what are we going to do with you? HAhahahahaha!