Snow Peas Delivery or Pickup

The snow pea often gets confused with the regular field or garden pea, but they couldn't be more different. The snow pea has an edible, flat pod that's cooked and eaten along with the seeds, while the garden or field pea has its shell discarded. Snow peas also get confused with snap peas, a similar edible-pod pea with a flat pod.

The snow pea's most notable attribute is its edible pod, unique within the pea family. The snow pea lacks the fibrous layer found in the inner pod. The snap pea also lacks this fibrous layer, a sort of parchment regular legumes possess that makes them too difficult to chew and digest—the edible pod results from two recessive genes that reduce pod wall thickness.

Snow peas are also referred to as Chinese pea pods, as they appear in many Asian stir-fry dishes. Many Chinese recipes use the entire plant, adding the stems and leaves to stir-fry and soup dishes for texture and flavor. The snow pea has a crisp texture and sweet taste and is a favorite complement to many proteins.

It isn't clear how the name came about as the snow pea doesn't get planted in the winter. It does grow in cooler climates that experience actual winters, which leads most people to believe the name is a regional designation. They do best in cool weather and only need a few hours of sun each day. They don't do well in warm weather or extended exposure to direct sunlight, nor will they grow in complete shade. The plant matures in 6 to 8 weeks, with the peas ready for picking in about 10 weeks.

Like so many vegetables, the snow pea arrives at your local grocer ready to eat. Yet the snow pea isn't ripe when picked, nor does it continue to ripen afterward. Farmers harvest snow peas before the seeds begin to grow. They grow from 1 to 3 inches in length and up to 1-inch across and are flat, perhaps only 1 to 2 millimeters thick. They will have a vibrant green color and no distinctive odor.

Keep your snow peas in the bag they were packaged in if sealed and store in your refrigerator. If you purchased loose snow peas by the pound, transfer them to a zip-lock bag before storing them. Never wash your snow peas until you are ready to eat them, as the moisture will hasten decay. Snow peas will last up to a week in a sealed container in your refrigerator.

You can freeze your snow peas for more extended storage. Some chefs recommend freezing them as you bought them and before washing and cooking. Others suggest washing them first, then blanching them for a minute or two before plunging them into ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, remove the string that runs along the outside edge before bagging and freezing. Snow peas will last a year or more in the freezer.

You can save time by using the Instacart app to shop for snow peas. Simply add the snow peas to your cart and check out. After checkout, an Instacart shopper will prepare your order. In as little as 2 hours, your order of snow peas could be ready for in-store pick-up! In some cases, your order may qualify for same-day home delivery!