Peas have a long-standing legacy in many regions of the world. The ancient Romans and Greeks regularly used the dried variety of this legume, but the origin of the small veggie is thought to have its roots in the Middle East. Around the 19th century, the English made garden peas legendary through their innovative breeding practices (hence the reason they are sometimes called English peas). Now, many people around the world savor their fresh taste.
So which peas are popular in America? Here are a few.
Garden Peas. A positive feature to these peas? It is difficult to beat the taste and texture; they are sweet and firm. A negative? They can be labor-intensive (you have to shell them). If purchasing, one pound will usually equate to one cup of peas. Be sure to choose firm, green pods when making your selection; they tend to be the freshest. Oh, and as a side note, they are worth the work!
Snow Peas. Snow peas look like skinny, unshelled garden peas. Yet, this variety is completely edible, so you actually eat the pod. Snow peas are popular in stir-fry recipes, but they can also be consumed raw. If cooking, do not do so for long, the pod should have a crisp bite. And the flavor? Sweet!
Sugar Snap Peas. Sugar snap peas are a hybrid pea. They seem to be a cross between garden peas and snow peas. Like snow peas, they are consumed unshelled; like garden peas, their pod has a larger girth. A likely reason they are called sugar snap? They make a discernible snap when broken, and they almost taste like sugar.
Chickpeas. Chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are unlike the above varieties; in fact, they are not green but instead tan-colored. Chickpeas are very popular in areas like Italy, Latin America, and the Middle East. In fact, a famous Middle Eastern dish, falafel, is made by frying mashed chick peas. This pea variety is hearty and makes a nice substitution for meat.
Black-Eyed Peas. Black-eyed peas seem to be the least-known pea in the immediate area, although the dish is quite popular in some Southern states. The off-white color is oval-shaped with a black spot in the middle (thus, black-eyed). Black-eyed peas are great as a side dish, in soups, and in some casserole meals.
Peas can also be purchased dried or frozen and make hearty soups (like split pea). They are versatile and beloved by adults and children, alike. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and thiamine. They are low in fat and simply delicious.
Well, what more can be said?
