It is easy to cook frozen peas. In less than 10 minutes, you can enjoy delicious, creamy peas. Tonight, give them a try! Frozen peas are quick and easy to prepare, and they save you the trouble of shelling a hundred fresh pea pods for a simple recipe. Frozen peas are an easy and healthful complement to any dinner, whether served as a side dish or pasta or soup entrée.
Peas are the fruit and seed of a vine plant that is widely grown and consumed. The green pods and orbs are the plant’s fruits and seeds, yet they are prepared and eaten like vegetables. This ingredient is not only simple to prepare and serve as a side dish on its own, but it can also be eaten raw, frozen, in soup or salad, or cooked into a variety of meals. It’s no surprise that peas are a nutritious food staple in many different cultures worldwide.
What are Peas?
Peas are the pea plant’s green seed pods or tiny spheres inside the pod (Pisum sativum). Despite its popularity as a vegetable, the pod is botanically classified as a fruit because it comes from a flower and contains seeds. Some types, such as snow and snap peas, are eaten whole, with the seeds inside. The seeds of garden peas (also known as sweet peas) are extracted from the pod, then discarded. Peas are one of the most extensively grown crops on the planet. Peas initially grew wild in the Mediterranean region circa 10,000 BC, before the Neolithic (or Agricultural) Revolution.
Peas were frequently left on the vine until they hardened into field peas during the time (similar to the peas used in dishes like split pea soup). Fresh garden peas became popular in England throughout the 17th century, and these were younger, more sensitive, and thought to be of higher quality than field peas. Green peas eventually gained popularity in the United States, and Thomas Jefferson famously grew them—30 cultivars, to be exact.
Eating fresh and young peas has become so convenient since the development of canning and freezing that most people are unaware they are not eating a mature plant. Although dried field peas are still available for soaking and use in soups, most people prefer the vibrant green garden type. Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried peas are all available. Peas are now found in cuisines throughout the world. Peas are eaten worldwide, from Indian curries to Swedish soups, Chinese stir-fries, and Hungarian dumplings. They are often low-cost and straightforward to prepare.
How to Cook Frozen Peas?
If you’ve been boiling peas, this is your PSA on how to prepare frozen peas properly! You’ll crave these creamy peas every night if you use the proper cooking method, a little sugar and a little butter!
Ingredients
- Frozen Peas- Yes, frozen peas are preferable to fresh ones.
- Cubed butter
- Sugar granules – just a smidgeon! This will bring out the naturally sweet flavor of the peas.
- Minced garlic cloves.
- To taste, don’t season the peas until they’re served on plates.
- Ground pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Add the frozen peas, butter, sugar, and garlic to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook, frequently stirring, for about 5-8 minutes, or until butter is melted and peas are cooked.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and divide into individual servings.
What does Peas Taste Like?
Peas have a pleasant flavor that is encased in a crispy ball. Fresh sweet peas have the most candy-like nuance of all the varieties, with fresh sweet peas having the most. Peas that have been shelled are drier and taste better when cooked. Snap and snow peas are pleasant with a hint of bitterness and can be eaten fresh or warmed slightly. Fresh or frozen peas are the most acceptable method to experience the genuine flavor. The flavor of dried field peas is more decadent, warmer, and less green. This is why this pea is best served in a soup or stew.
What are the Varieties of Peas?
Although all peas appear to be the same, there are numerous varieties of this meal. Garden peas, snow peas, and snap peas are the three types of peas to distinguish, and the former is the type of green ball pea that may be found frozen in bags in the cafeteria vegetable section and most dishes.
Snow peas are commonly found in Asian cuisine and feature the entire pod, which, unlike the shell of a garden pea, is delicate and simple to eat. The bulge of the tiny seeds nestled inside these flat whole peas may be seen. Snap peas can also be eaten whole. And however, this cylindrical component often contains tiny seeds that are difficult to discern. Enjoy the crunch while munching on them as a nutritious snack.
How to Cook Frozen Peas in Different Ways?
There’s no need to defrost frozen peas before cooking. In these recipes, fresh or frozen peas may be used.
Method 1: Microwave
Fresh or frozen peas can be zapped in seconds. Combine peas and a tablespoon of water in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a lid (or a paper napkin) and cook for 3-4 minutes on high. Stir in the peas and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Take a bite (but be careful, they’re spicy!). It’s done when it’s soft and heated all the way through.
Drain the water and serve. I prefer to rinse peas in a mesh strainer rather than a colander to avoid getting them stuck in the perforations.
Method 2: Boil
Another quick and simple method for preparing peas. Combine 16 oz. Peas and around 12 cups of water in a pot. With the top off, bring the liquid to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until peas are soft. Drain any extra liquid before serving.
Method 3: Steam
In a saucepan, pour approximately an inch of water. Put your beautiful small legumes in a steamer basket and place them in the pan.
Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot. The rising steam will gently cook the peas. We recommend steaming for 2-4 minutes with periodic testing. They’re done when the peas are soft.
This is our favorite way to prepare fresh peas, which are only available for a short time in late spring and early summer and need to be treated gently to retain their flavor. (Are you looking for more simple spring veggie recipes? (Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Method 4: Saute
In a saucepan, pour approximately an inch of water. Put your beautiful small legumes in a steamer basket and place them in the pan. Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot. The rising steam will gently cook the peas. We recommend steaming for 2-4 minutes with periodic testing. They’re done when the peas are soft.
This is our favorite way to prepare fresh peas, which are only available for a short time in late spring and early summer and need to be treated gently to retain their flavor. (Are you looking for more simple spring veggie recipes? (Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Where to Buy Peas?
The most common types of peas are frozen and canned, both of which can be found in any grocery shop. Fresh peas are sold by the pound during the spring and summer months and are widely accessible in supermarkets and farmers’ markets. The vines are simple to grow and are prevalent in backyard gardens, and Pea greens are gathered and sold in markets in the early spring.
When purchasing fresh peas, look for pods with a bulge in the middle, indicating that the green orbs are mature and ready to eat. Peapods that are discolored or mushy should be avoided.
If possible, avoid canned peas in favor of frozen pea bags. Both are convenient, but the canned version has the potential to become mushy. You could see some peas branded small, but don’t be deceived; this sort is nothing exceptional; it’s just a regular pea that’s as wonderful as the next. It’s a good idea to double-check the package’s expiration date. An old bag of frozen peas may contain dried peas, which are bland and unappealing.
How to Store Peas?
Keep frozen peas in the freezer if you buy them frozen. To avoid freezer burn, close the bag after taking a portion and place it back on ice. There are no particular recommendations for canned peas, but like with most canned goods, it’s best to keep them in a cool place in the house. Cans that have been opened should be emptied into a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Fresh peas can be stored in their pods for up to two weeks. Then you’ll have to shell them. They’ll last for weeks out of the pods as long as they stay cool.
Fresh peas can be frozen in the pod or simply the seeds for up to a year, depending on the type. They must be blanched for two minutes and then dried before freezing. Freeze them for a few hours on a tray, then put them into freezer bags or containers.
Conclusion
Peas are versatile vegetables that may be used in a variety of ways. Peas should be rinsed before cooking if they are still fresh. Garden peas (also known as shelling peas) must be shelled and the pod removed. Snow peas are sautéed whole in many Asian cuisines and are often served raw in salads and noodles. As a fresh snack, whole snap peas are delicious and uncooked. Dried peas, like beans, must be soaked before cooking.
Heating the green orbs until warm or adding them to casseroles, stews, and other recipes are two simple ways to prepare peas. Cooked peas can be puréed into soups or mashed for infant food. Whole peas are delicious on their own, dipped in butter and topped with Parmesan and a pinch of pepper. Frozen peas don’t always need to be thawed before cooking because they cook fast over low heat. They’re also popular with kids in the summer and provide a healthful method to cool down, similar to nature’s miniature ice pops.
