Sweet Peas

Peas are a member of the legume family, which includes plants that bear pods enclosing fleshy seeds. Fresh sweet peas are packed with fiber and vitamins A, C and K.

Did You Know?

• Fresh sweet peas are tender enough to be eaten raw but may also be cooked.
• Sweet peas are also known as “English,” “green” or “garden” peas.
• Of all the sweet peas grown, only 5 percent make it to the supermarket fresh and the rest are canned, frozen or dried.
• Gregor Mendel, the “Father of Genetics,” formulated his theories while studying peas.
• Sweet peas are thought to have originated in Europe and parts of Asia.
• Sweet pea pods grow on vines and, unlike snow and sugar snap peas, are too fibrous to be edible.

Shopping, Preparing and Storing

• For best flavor, choose small peas, which are younger, sweeter and tenderer than the large ones.
• Peas do not have a very long shelf life, so it is important to refrigerate peas in a perforated plastic bag, where they will keep for three to five days.

Cooking Tips

• To best preserve the nutrients found in peas, use raw peas or prepare them either steamed or stir-fried.
• Try adding raw peas to green and grain salads. Their sweet, fresh flavor will complement rich pasta and risotto dishes as well as spicy curries and soups.

Sweet Pea Nutrition

Serving size: 1/2 cup

Calories: 66; Total Fat: 0 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Total Carbohydrates: 12 g; Protein: 4 g; Sodium: 2 mg

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