Snap Peas Delivery or Pickup

Snap peas can now be bought in the stores fresh or frozen so you can enjoy them year-round. Snap peas that we eat today were developed by Dr. Calvin Lamborn as a cross between a shelling pea mutant and a snow pea cultivar. The first snap pea was made available in 1979 and named sugar snap. They are pod fruits like other peas, and the pod is edible when young. It doesn't open when mature and grows to about four to eight centimeters with three to eight peas inside. In a garden, snap peas grow up along something to climb on and grow during the cooler months.

Snap peas have quite a bit of nutritional value packed in a small package. Snap peas provide vitamin C which helps boost the immune system, as well as beta-carotene and vitamin A. These last two are also helpful to keep the body's immune system in top shape. Snap peas also contain potassium and vitamin K which provides calcium, along with dietary fiber which is important to keep regular digestion. Per one hundred grams, snap peas also have close to three grams of protein. Snap peas are part of a healthy diet because they contain essential nutrients and are quite easy to eat.

If you buy some mature snap peas, it's best to remove the membranous string running along the top to the bottom of the pod with a paring knife. Also, if the snap peas are overcooked, they can fall apart, so it's best to cook them just enough to let them infuse the flavors of your choice, which shouldn't take more than ten minutes to prepare. Snap peas can be sauteed, stir-fried, steamed, or blanched. They are mostly eaten as a snack or side dish, or as part of a salad.

There are many simple ways to enjoy snap peas at home since they already come infused with a fresh and delicate flavor. Just try sauteing the peas on some oil of your choice and garlic, add the snap peas, and maybe some soy sauce. Cook for about five minutes and add some sesame oil or an oil of your choice, which is optional. Sprinkle in some sesame seeds. You can also add cheese, lemon juice, or chili pepper flakes to the snap peas. 

Snap peas can be accompanied by hot, citrus, and/or delicate ingredients and they will soak up the flavors well. Snap peas are great to enjoy alone, as a side with chicken, pork or beef or other vegetables and vegetarian options like tofu and noodles or pasta. On a hot summer day, let the snap peas cool down and mix them with some cherry tomatoes, nuts, feta, or blue cheese and add in some lemon juice or vinegar and a dressing of your choice.

Snap peas are very versatile and are great to enjoy when the weather is hot because they don't take long to cook, and snap peas aren't heavy on your stomach. They are the perfect accompaniment to other vegetables, pasta or noodles, on top of rice, or with the meat of your choice. It's really hard to go wrong with snap peas.

If you are growing your own snap peas or happen to find them fresh, pick the snap peas once the peas are formed inside the pod. The pod can grow up to three inches long, so picking from a smaller size is fine. They are actually sweeter if picked halfway through their growth spurt. Make sure the green color is bright and healthy with no discoloration.

The color of the pod will have a dull color, and there may be soft spots where it signifies over-ripeness. The pod can also easily break apart.