One of my favorite childhood memories is going over to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house and picking peas from their garden. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh green peas. I can eat them by the handful! Peas are considered to be in season during the spring months and soon you can plant them in your garden.
You may not realize all the great health benefits of peas. Not only are they loaded with fiber, vitamins C, B, & K, but they are an excellent source of protein. In one cup, there are about 8 grams of protein. That’s more than one egg!
Although fresh garden peas are not readily available year round here in Utah, you can still enjoy them canned, frozen, or dried. Canned and frozen peas are quick and easy to season as a side dish or to toss into a soup, casserole, or stir fry. When buying canned or frozen peas, look for those without added salt. Simply rinsing canned green peas before you prepare them can also remove quite a bit of the sodium they may be packed in. Dried peas are another nutritious option. They have a long storage life and are usually very inexpensive. They do take a bit longer to cook and thus require a little more planning to prepare.
Fruitsandveggies.org gives 10 great ways to enjoy peas. Check it out!
Follow these links to find the recipes mentioned:
I decided to try a few new pea recipes of my own. My favorites are below. Give them a try then come back and let me know how you like them. Enjoy!
