Sugar Pea

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Peas are one of the oldest cultivated vegetables (archaeological evidence suggests approx. 7,000BC) and originate in the Eastern Mediterranean and near and central Asia. Today, vegetable peas are cultivated in nearly all countries and on all continents, and are positioned on 4th place of all vegetables. About 95% of the harvest end up in the processing industry and only an insignificant portion is sold in the fresh food market. The plant grows nearly exclusively in the field. In the Netherlands, sugar peas are produced in small green house areas from mid January.

Description:

Pea plants are annual bald herbaceous plants with leaf stems ending in winding vines. The proper peas are the seeds or kernels within the pods (not "hulls") . Many different pea varieties and names exist. Here we talk about the sweet pea, also known as "snow pea". It differs from the shell or marrow pea mainly in the fact, that it does not create an inedible parchment layer at the interior wall of the pod; it also owns a considerably high sugar content. Hence, sweet peas may be prepared and consumed with the whole fleshy, unripe, but tender and sweet pod including the still unripe seeds contained therein. In the case of shell or marrow peas, the parchment-like inner skin renders the pod inedible. Sweet peas may have marrow pea starch kernels as well as shell pea kernels. They are cultivated only for the fresh food market. The "petit pois" (French for little peas) which are cultivated in France and have a small seed corn are also considered sweet peas. Young and freshly harvested, they taste very delicate. They are a popular addition to salad dishes, or they may be blanched, stirred in butter and seasoned with mint.

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Sweet peas do not require immediate harvesting, they may stay on the vine, because even advanced ripening does not make them tough or stringy and they will retain their great taste. Peas are not suitable for long storage, the fresh pods last only a short time.

Use:

The snow peas in the pod may be sauteed in little water with some butter, they can be consumed in the pod and are considered a great delicacy.