Peas
Posted in VOM on 02/27/2010 11:13 am by manx
Those green spherical multiple units from the pod. Its one of those vegetable/fruit questions – yes, they are technically a fruit from a legume. There are different kinds of peas that we are all familiar with – garden peas(english), snow peas(sugar), snap peas, field peas (split peas)..and something called a southern pea, which is really a cowpea and grown like beans. There health benefits are numerous – low calorie, hi-fiber, loaded with vitamin A, C, K and Folic Acid – these are literally green gems for your diet.
Historically, peas have been a staple food for thousands of years – they are mentioned in the Bible and prized by ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. More recently Louis 14th (of France) had them on his menu. The Dutch are credited with the development of the snow pea in the same era as Louis. Snap peas are a recent addition, being a cross between a garden and snow pea.
Frozen garden peas are an easy alternative during the winter and they do not lose a lot nutritionally from being frozen. Use peas in salads, stews, pasta’s. Snap peas in a lunch bag make a wonderful alternative to celery sticks. Mushy peas, split pea soup, peas with butter and mint, in green curry with chicken and basil (yummy – one of my favorite Thai dishes) – good in fried rice, too! Lots of ways to add the nutritional wonder of the peas -
Check out this breakdown – In a 1/2 cup of cooked garden peas – Only 67 calories!
- Fiber 2.4 grams
Protein 4.3 grams
Vitamin A 478 UI
Vitamin C 11.4 mg
Folic Acid 50.7 micrograms
Potassium 217 mg
Magnesium 31 mg
Peas are an annual, cool weather vegetable. Only 60 days will bring a crop to your table. They prefer temperatures between 50 and 80 – so they are a great spring and fall crop. Peas will vine and be somewhat self supporting, but do best will a trellis or some type of support to cling to. They are a great “companion plant” in the garden and are compatible with carrots, cukes, turnip, radish, beans and herbs – they do not prefer to be planted next to onions or garlic. When buying peas, remember that younger is more tender – if the pods are scarred, or tough, chances are the peas inside will be starchy. What a wonderfully sweet way to add such value to your meals. Easily grown – even here in our little ol’ four letter state!
Interesting Facts About Peas
Peas are a good source of vitamin K – some of which our bodies convert into K2, which activates osteocalcin, the major non-collagen protein in bone – important to bone mineralization.
In China – the pea sprout and pea leaves are considered a delicacy
Peas contain purine – so individuals with kidney problems or gout may want to limit intake of purine-containing foods such as green peas
Although botanically peas are a fruit, it is treated as a vegetable in cooking
Cutest Pea Poem Ever -
I eat my peas with honey;
I’ve done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.












