Peas

Select It

Look for firm, bright green, medium-sized pods. Choose low-sodium canned peas or fresh frozen peas. Avoid buying fresh peas with bruised or soft pods.

Store It

• Do not wash until ready to eat.
• Store fresh peas for up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a breathable bag in the high-humidity drawer. Set the drawer lever to closed, so less air is coming in. Breathable bags include plastic produce bags from the store or reusable cloth, muslin or mesh bags.
• Cooked green peas can be stored for up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
• Store for up to 8 months in the freezer.

Reduce Food Waste

Dry shelled peas and save their seeds to plant in your home garden.

There is no need to cut off the ends of snow peas before cooking.

Source: Save the Food

Prepare It

• Eat fresh snow peas and sugar snap peas whole, plain or dipped into a healthy vegetable dip such as hummus.
• Eat English peas fresh out of the pod.
• Add fresh or frozen peas to soups, curries, casseroles, stir-fries or pasta dishes.

Did You Know?

Snap peas and snow peas are a great crunchy snack for kids!  You can eat the entire pea, including the pod.

t Peas help keep the body’s nerves healthy because they contain thiamin.

Click here for more information about peas.

Click here for a printable page with lots of info about peas.

Recipes

Sesame Chicken with Snow Peas and Peppers

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil of choice
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 cups snow peas, trimmed
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1½ teaspoons packed brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
2 green onions, sliced
2 cups cooked brown rice

Source: CA Champions for Change

Serving

Makes 4 servings - 1¼ cups per serving.

Time

30 minutes

Directions

1. Place sesame seeds in a large nonstick skillet; cook for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
   
   
2. Spray same skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add chicken; cook and stir for about 10 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
   
   
3. Add snow peas and bell peppers; stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes more until vegetables are crisp-tender.
   
   
4. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and ginger; add to skillet. Cook for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.
   
   
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve ¾ cups of chicken mixture over ½ cup of brown rice.
   
   Variations
   
   For a meatless meal, substitute tofu.
   
   No sesame seeds? No problem! Use one tablespoon of pumpkin seeds or finely chopped nuts such as peanuts, almonds or cashews.

Find More Recipes From EatFresh