Snap peas are edible podded-peas that can be used in salads or eaten as a whole. They can also be steamed or stir-fried. Snap peas can be a great ingredient to add to your favorite dishes.
However, you can only get them during the late spring and they are available only for a brief period. Remember, it is best to cook snap peas in the most basic way. Minimal preparation is required to cook snap peas. Read on to learn about the steps involved in cooking them.
Steps Involved in Cooking Snap Peas
It is very easy to cook snap peas. All you need is water to cook them. But, if you would like to add them to your dish that is also a good option. Before cooking the snap peas, shell the peas. Trim the ends of your snap peas before you start cooking them.
- In order to cook snap peas, you can choose from the following methods: boil, steam or sauté.
- If you would like to boil your snap peas, simply place them in a pot and fill the cooking pot with water. Boil the snap peas for about 2-3 minutes until your snap peas are tender.
- On the other hand, if you would like to steam your snap peas, simply steam them in a steamer for about two minutes.
- When sautéing your snap peas, melt butter in a pan or use olive oil and cook your snap peas for about 2-3 minutes.
- To finish cooking your snap peas, simply add tarragon, mint or basil to your snap peas. Also add a dash of salt and flavor it with freshly ground pepper.
- You may opt to drizzle your snap peas with a little sesame oil and garnish with some delicious toasted sesame seeds.
- Now, if you would like to add your snap peas to your pasta, simply add your cooked snap peas to cooked pasta along with butter and herbs. They go best with white sauce.
Tips and Warnings
Keep the following simple tips and warnings in mind while cooking snap peas.
- Make sure you string them properly, before you cook them. That is, remove the membranous string that runs from the top to the bottom of the pod.
- Take care not to over cook the snap peas.
- After purchasing fresh snap peas, take care to keep them cold so that the process of converting the sugar to starch is slowed.
As you can see, cooking snap peas is quite simple and easy. So, go ahead and use these pod fruits to create simple and tasty dishes, rich in texture and flavor.