The snap pea is an exceptional, easy-to-grow legume. The day I discovered sugar snap peas was the day I broke up with snow and shelling peas. We still see each other; it’s just not the same. Snap peas offer the best of both: the shelling pea’s cozy row of fat peas, and the snow pea’s tender edible pod. It’s two, two, two peas in one.
Don’t confuse the envelope-thin, anemic snow pea with the zaftig sugar snap, a shapely cousin plump with added bounty. There’s no comparison.
As for fresh shelling peas, I’m still a fan (if only to make paglia e fieno four times in one month), but the harvest payoff is usually disappointing. You plant a lot, and get a little. Sugar snap peas not only have greater yields but are much sweeter and more disease resistant. Did I mention the plant’s stem tips are edible, too. If your pea crops have flopped in the past, give sugar snaps a try. (Seeds are readily available at seed stands and online.)
Super sweet sugar snap peas: a quick snack in hand or star of the saute pan
Related info: The Edible Pea from A to Z, Peas in the Garden
Ready in a week you say. I’m on my way. Oh and about that paglia e fieno -pasta, prosciutto, peas and cream? I’m in heaven!
June: a place setting is ready for you. And as for paglia e fieno, feel free to substitute bacon for prosciutto. Ummm, bacon.
I’m liking the sound of the paglia e fieno.
Renae, the English translation is less than sexy: Hay and Straw
Glad to know someone else shares my obession with sugar snap peas. Darn things are more addictive than caffiene. It’s really a grow-at–your own risk situation because there are never enough for everything you want to use them in:
– Stir fry dishes (shrimp and snap peas, chicken teriyaki with snap peas)
– White bean dip (ditch pita bread and carrots)
-This list would be longer, but I always run out of snap peas before I decide to tackle new recipes…
Perhaps, the biggest challenge with snap peas is getting them to the kitchen without eating half of them.
Tom I love sugar snap peas but I’m really liking the Schweizer Reisen snow peas from http://www.uprisingorganics.com this year. Even when I can’t get out to harvest them and they are as big as my hand they are still sweet and amazing when stir fried in coconut oil (but then what isn’t?). I’ll have to try some hay and straw! I’m trialing 5 kinds of peas this year and I can finally say that I think I have enough peas for the first time ever. What a year for peas!
Sasha: I feel the same way, I pick them too early sometimes just because I’m in the garden and there they are calling 1my name.
Annette: What an impressive harvest. I’m excited to learn about uprisingorganics as a seed source and even more eager to try the Schweizer Reisen snow peas. Thanks!
Hi Thom-Andrea and Bart were here tonight and helped me “find” your Blog. Fun. I love your photos–Drop by sometime–Harry is still digging and planting.
Edeen, what a nice surprise. I shall drop by indeed, thank you.
I tried ‘Sugar Ann’ this year and they are just now plumping up. And, while I’m waiting to enjoy their flavor and texture, I have the added benefit of enjoying their lovely two toned purple-pink blossoms, especially since my sweet peas are laging behind in the bloom department:
Sugarr Ann Snap Pea
Oops. Try this link:
Sugar Ann
Your sugar snap peas look so vibrnat green & ooh so tasty!!
What a lovely produce!
These are beautiful! I’m going to send you a recipe for Risi e bisi that was in the Financial Time this weekend. I don’t know why, but I’ve never grown peas (?)