Peas (Green, Sugar Snap, Snow and Shelling Peas)  

About: Did you know that peapods are botanically a fruit? (They contain seeds developed in the ovary of a pea flower) Peas are easy to prepare. For whole pea pods, snap off the tips of the pods, removing any tough strings as well. For English peas, squeeze the pods and press your thumb against the seams to split open. Enjoy peas raw for a snack, add to salads, or warm with butter for an easy, kid-friendly side dish. 

Nutritional Info: Peas are a good source of Protein, Folate, Iron and Manganese, and an excellent source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Thiamin.

Storage: Keep in the vegetable crisper in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Tips: To freeze peas, peel the peas from the pods. Wash well and rinse in cold water, then add the peas to boiling water. Boil the peas for a couple of minutes, then strain and pour cool water on top to stop the cooking process. Let the peas cool to room temperature and pat dry. Store in a ziplock bag, seal and freeze. 

QuickFix: Raw peas make a fantastic addition to salads. 

Recipes: Snap Peas with Lemon & Mint, Steamed English Peas with Basil Butter, Peas with Parsely and Garlic

Check out this website all about peas for more recipes and information: www.peas.org