Are sweet peas, baby peas, petite peas and peas the same thing?

Like any vegetable, there are many different cultivars or varieties of peas grown for commercial agriculture. Some are bred to be harvested while they are smaller. These smaller peas are sometimes called petite, baby or sweet baby peas. You can use these all types of interchangeably.

Do you have to defrost peas before cooking them?

No you don't have to defrost them before steaming or boiling. For roasting or sauteeing we recommend defrosting them first and then blotting them dry before cooking them.

How do you defrost peas?

Our preferred method for quickly defrosting peas is to place them in a mesh sieve and hold them under cool running water. Toss them or stir them occasionally to make sure they are defrosting evenly. They should be thawed in about 90 seconds. Alternatively, you can set the bag of frozen peas in a baking dish (to catch any drips or excess liquid as they thaw) and place it in the fridge for 24 hours. Make sure to drain away any liquid from the bag before adding them to the recipe.

Can you use fresh and frozen peas interchangeably?

In most cases, you can use fresh and frozen peas interchangeably. If subbing frozen peas for fresh peas, and a recipe doesn't state so specifically it is a good idea to defrost the peas first.

Are fresh peas better than frozen peas?

If you have ever eaten fresh English shelling peas freshly picked from the vine then you know how special fresh peas are! We always grow them in the garden, mostly just for snacking on while tending the garden in the late spring. They are a labor of love to shell enough for a recipe though. Most of the bagged fresh peas you can buy in the refrigerator in the produce department at the supermarket have a starchy quality and lack the heady aroma and sweetness of a freshly picked pea. Frozen peas on the other hand have been harvested at the peak of freshness and then flash frozen, so they are often sweeter and better tasting than bagged fresh peas. All that said, if you do have the time to shell fresh peas, they will be worth your efforts!

Do you need to add sugar?

This is an old-fashioned trick my grandmother's generation did before the advent of natural plant breeding technologies that have yielded very sweet peas. There is need to add any additional sugar!

How do you shell fresh peas?

To do this efficiently work over a bowl to catch the peas. Hold the shell lengthwise and press down firmly on the seam. Crack the shell open along the length of the pea pod where it naturally splits. Once the shell is open part slide your thumb underneath the peas to remove them from the shell.

How long to cook peas

Depending on the cooking method peas can cook for 2 to 4 minutes. Cook only until they still have vibrant color. When they turn army green they will be overcooked and mushy.

How To Cook Peas (Fresh or Frozen) - Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Name: Simple Sautéed Peas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups fresh shelled peas or frozen peas (10 oz); 1/8 teaspoon salt; Freshly ground pepper, to taste; Chopped fresh dill or chives for garnish (optional)

Description

This recipe for simple sauteed peas is an easy way to transform fresh or frozen peas into a delicious side dish. They only take 10 minutes to make but are festive enough for a holiday meal or family gathering. The recipe can be doubled.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh shelled peas or frozen peas (10 oz)
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh dill or chives for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add in peas, salt and pepper, and cook stirring until the peas are crisp tender and still bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. (For fresh peas, they should not taste “starchy” anymore.)
Remove from the heat and sprinkle with dill or chives if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

To Double: This recipe as written is about 4 servings, 1/2 cups each and if you are serving more, You can simply double or triple the recipe as desired. Note that it will take a little longer to cook the peas through. If the garlic starts to brown too much, simply turn the stove down to medium heat.

Add a Lid: You can add in a tablespoon of water or two and cover and steam for a minute to speed the process.

Leftovers and Reheating: Leftovers can be kept up to four days. Reheat on the stovetop in a non-stick skillet with a little water, covered. Heat through only and do not overcook.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stove Top
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 90 calories
Sugar: 3 g
Fat: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 4 g