Fresh Peas

Fresh peas come in and out of season very quickly. If you’ve never had fresh peas, you’re going to love our easy-peasy ideas and recipes.

Pea and Asparagus Soup

Pea and Asparagus Soup opens in a new tabAs a child I knew spring had finally arrived when my grandmother would bring a large bag of fresh green peas into the kitchen, and we would work as a team to shell them. What fun we had! She would blanch them in boiling water and toss them with butter, salt and pepper. She loved to throw them on fresh greens tossed with vinaigrette or her special mayonnaise, or add them to her homemade potato salad. Sometimes she would purée them into soup and add a splash of cream. This Pea and Asparagus Soup opens in a new tab would have made my grandmother very happy!    

Fresh peas come in and out of season very quickly. Once they are harvested, you’ll want to eat them as soon as possible because the longer they sit around, the less sweet and tender they are. Remember, they’re best when their pods are firm and green. The smaller peas are generally sweeter, so choose medium-sized pods with smaller, firm peas. The larger and thicker the pod, the more tough and mature the peas inside; these are good for slow simmering in stews and soups.

If you are not planning to eat your fresh peas within a few days, you can easily freeze them for later use. Simply blanch shelled peas in boiling water for a couple of minutes (they will be a beautiful bright green color when they’re ready), then shock them in ice cold water to quickly cool them. Drain and dry them, then store in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag.

Spring Chicken Salad

Spring Chicken Salad opens in a new tabIf you’ve never had fresh peas, you’re going to love our easy-peasy ideas and recipes, starting with this light and delicious Spring Chicken Salad opens in a new tab, perfect as a sandwich filling or an addition to a leafy green salad. While frozen peas are great to keep on hand year round, remember you can use fresh peas in place of frozen peas in most recipes — they are interchangeable. For quick-cooking recipes, start by lightly blanching fresh peas before using. Here are some ideas and recipes:

Are you a “pass the peas, please” person with a good recipe or a favorite idea? Let me know in the comments below. 

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