Using and Preserving Edible Pea Pods
Posted by nicki on Aug 2, 2012 in Uncategorized |
Edible pea pods are versatile and tasty when used in salads (raw or blanched), stir fried dishes, casseroles, and in an ordinary bowl of soup. Just heat and eat, or cook until soft as you would green beans.
The best way to preserve edible pea pods is by freezing. Blanching stops enzymes from continuing the ripening process. Unblanched vegetables will have undesirable flavor, texture and vitamin loss during storage.
- Wash and trim ends of pods, removing any strings.
- Immerse 2 cups of peas in 2 gallon of boiling water in a wire basket or cheesecloth bag. Cover and begin counting immediately.
- Boil 1 minute for thin snow peas, 1 ½ to 2 minutes for thick sugar snap (until heated through).
- Cool for 2 minutes in cold running water.
- Drain and pack in moisture-vapor proof, sealed containers. Or freeze quickly on a cookie sheet before packaging (great for stir-fry).