Peas are part of the legume category . Grown in pods , pea are packed with nutrition . There are essentially three types : garden peas , snow pea , and snap pea .
The first variety aregreen ( garden ) peasor Pisum sativum , whose seedpod are more fibrous and often not run through . Their pod are round and fatten out in shape as are the peas inside them .
The 2d smorgasbord is thesnow pea plant , whose cod is flattish , thin and sore when steamed or boiled . One can observe the shape and size of the pea through the opaque cod . mostly speaking , the small the Charles Percy Snow pea plant the sweeter and juice reamer it is .
The third aresnap peas , a cross between garden and snow pea . Their pod are very edible . Both snap and the Baron Snow of Leicester peas are sweeter savoring than garden peas .
pea are an ancient vegetable . They were popular in Egyptian and Greco - Romans times and are mentioned in the Bible . But they were eaten dry out . During the 16th century , Europeans start boiling pea plant . The Chinese are credited with first flurry fry and feed the Charles Percy Snow pea plant in its pod .
Growing Peas
To grow peas in your garden , you need coolheaded soil . They are frost tolerant and sturdy , but do not like long period of hot weather . Depending on the type you plant , the maturation is anywhere from 54 to 80 days .
Garden or Green Peascome in four popular varieties :
Sugar Peascome in three main varieties :
industrial plant peas in grease at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit and that is dry enough to till without sticking to the tools . More passion repellent variety may be implant in previous summer in stale climates . However , you risk them not maturing before the first well freeze because they grow slow than if planted in the early spring .
Peas are establish in row about 1/2 column inch abstruse and 18 to 24 column inch aside . Be trusted to hoe lightly and on the surface only around the plants and if the summer is particularly warm , mulch around the plants to help retain coolness and moisture .
Nutritional Content and Health Benefits of Peas
Peas are load down with 8 vitamin , 7 minerals , protein and fibre . They are an excellent source of Vitamin K , which activate the osteocalcin in our bodies , thus anchoring the atomic number 20 we bear to our bone . They are also a good source of folic battery-acid and Vitamin B6 , important for combat osteoporosis and atherosclerosis by reduce the buildup of homocysteine molecules .
Peas are a good source of other B Vitamins as well , such as thiamin ( vitamin B1 ) , vitamin G ( vitamin B2 ) , and niacin ( vitamin B3 ) . These help shape lipid , carbohydrate and protein stage .
Peas contain a mediocre amount of Vitamin C , which is our body ’s main antioxidant protection against viruses and diseases , and perhaps even some cancers .
The smoother the skin of the pod , the more starch it has .
How to Prepare Peas
Garden pea may be harvested and removed from the fuel pod , then boiled or dried . Snap peas can be eat in the pod after roil . Snow pea plant are eat in their integrality , pod and seed , by either stir frying them , or steaming them . Some , if pick slightly unfledged , are lovesome enough to be eaten raw in salads .
To store peas , refrigerate them as shortly as potential after pick to prevent their pelf from turning into starch . Unwashed , unhulled peas can store in the fridge for several days . To freeze , blanch the pods first , then let cool .
Want to learn more about the health benefits of peas?
Check out these helpful resource : Growing Peas in the Gardenfrom University of Illinois ExtensionPea Nutritionfrom the CDCGreen pea plant atthe World ’s Healthiest Foods .
