Properties of peas
Peas play a lot of roles in the kitchen as they combine with a multitude of dishes. Find out about the properties and benefits of this food.
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The pea (Pisum sativum) is the small edible seed of the plant that is grown for its production. It belongs to the legume family, even though most people consider it a vegetable.
Peas are the mature seeds of the homonymous plant and are enclosed within an intense green cover or sheath, with a length of 5 to 10 cm. In each pod there are usually between 7 and 9 seeds.
Its harvest season takes place from November to March, which is also the best time to eat them. We can also find fresh peas between October and April, depending on the variety.
Benefits of peas
Vitamins include thiamine, folic acid, vitamin C and K.
Folates contribute to the cell division process and the normal formation of blood cells. They also promote the growth of maternal tissues during pregnancy. Hence the importance of eating foods with high levels of folic acid during this period.
As for minerals, they contribute phosphorus and manganese, which help in the maintenance of bones under normal conditions and potassium, which contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and muscles.
How to prepare peas
Boiled in a traditional saucepan or pressure cooker:
If the peas are fresh, fill the traditional saucepan with a handful of salt and when it comes to the boil add the peas, cooking for about 20-25 minutes. In a pressure cooker the cooking time is reduced to 4 or 5 minutes.
If the peas are frozen, cook them in traditional saucepan and follow the same procedure as before, but the cooking time will be shorter, about 5 or 7 minutes depending on the size of the peas.
Steamed: in this case, cooking times are the same whether the peas are cooked fresh or frozen. The time will be from 7 to 12 minutes depending on the size of the pea. Keep in mind that for this cooking technique you'll need a suitable container.
Microwave: If the peas are frozen, they are placed directly in a microwave-suitable container, adding two tablespoons of oil. They are covered with clingfilm or a cover and programmed for 5 minutes at maximum power.
If the peas are fresh, put them in a microwave container with 2 or 3 tablespoons of water. Cover it with the cover or clingfilm and cook them for 7 minutes at maximum power.
