How to keep peas fresh for a long time

Peas are legumes, although nutritionally they are between vegetables and legumes due to their composition (they are like vegetables but high in protein: about 8 grams per 100 grams.) They also contain a lot of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, thiamin, manganese, vitamin A, niacin, phosphorus and copper.

The downside is that fresh peas have a short season: from late winter to late spring, so if we want to get the most out of them, we have to hurry. How to take advantage of the season of fresh peas? They can be prepared in multiple ways, as you will see below, and we can also keep them for a long time.

How to keep peas fresh

When we go to buy peas we have to make sure that the pods are rather smooth and firm, of a homogeneous color, without black parts, or with fungus or holes. AND we have to buy about twice as much as we want, because we will be left with only the seeds.

My advice is to use two different bowls or containers when shelling the peas, putting the larger ones in one and the smaller ones in the other. Small peas take much less time to cook than large ones, so it is better to cook them for less time. If we separate them we can decide which ones to use in each case and cook them only enough so that they are tender, without falling apart.

You can store your shelled peas in the fridge, in a tightly closed container, up to 4 days, although his thing is to consume them as soon as possible.
Another good option is to freeze them, so we will have them for when we want.

How to Blanch and Freeze Peas

For freeze peas first you have to bleach them:

Prepare a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil. Prepare another pot or a large bowl with very cold water (if it can be with some ice, better). Wash the peas. When the water boils strongly, add the large peas first . Wait 1 minute and add the small ones. Let them boil for 2 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and quickly throw them into the cold water to cool.

Now you just have to drain them well, dry them a little with a clean cloth or absorbent kitchen paper and put them in containers to freeze. They will last you 6-8 months.

To use your frozen peas you don’t need to defrost them, you can throw them directly into the pot, the pan or wherever you are going to use it

How to prepare canned peas

Boat peas are fresh cooked and preserved peas. If you want, you can also make them this way, always remembering the safety regulations for home canning: the jars, always very clean, with lids that close well (preferably with rubber), that air does not enter, and submerge them in a boiling water bath. to seal them well against microbes.

Quick recipes with fresh peas

Although you can prepare the peas with any cooking method, the best ones are always those that do not dry them out and that cook them just right: sautéed, in stews, stews, vegetable pates, etc.

Some simple examples that will help you to do fast foods:

Stir-fried peas with tofu or seitan: Simply brown the diced tofu or seitan first, then add the peas, fresh or frozen, and sauté until tender.Peas with tomato: Lightly brown the peas and then add crushed tomato, cooking until fragrant. You can also add finely chopped onion and garlic.Pisto with peas: When the ratatouille is half done, add the peas and finish cooking everything together.Hummus with peas: Since peas tend to make more runny purees, you can use half chickpeas and half peas. Remember to boil them for a few minutes first.Vichyssoise with peas: When you have put all the ingredients in, add a cup of fresh or frozen peas, and then the water.Brown rice with peas:CCook your brown rice with the peas (fresh or frozen). It is not necessary to make them separately.

How to use the pods of peas

When the pea pods are fully ripe they are long, round, thick and with the large round seeds: what we call “peas”. We have to peel these fresh peas, discarding the pods, to be left with the green and sweet pea that we like so much.

The pods are edible, but when ripe they are very woody, difficult to chew and digest, so they are discarded.

However, We can find fresh peas in their pods in markets and flea markets. When they are pods picked very early, flat, fine, tender and with very small seeds, they are snow peas. They have a sweetish taste and are eaten whole.

They are made very fast and they serve us for any type of dish, but especially in stir-fries and preparations with a short cooking time, because that way both their color and flavor stand out a lot. Snow peas, even though they are the fruit of a legume, are considered vegetables because we eat them when they are green, like when we eat the leaves of any vegetable, although they have a little more protein.