Peas

Description
5% of the green peas are marketed fresh while the rest of the crop is canned or frozen. Frozen green peas retain their color, flavor, and nutrients better than canned peas and are much lower in sodium.

Varieties
Sweet, Garden, English, Sugar snap, Snow, Pea tendrils.

Availability
Sweet peas:February through September, Peak in May.
Sugar snap: year-round
Snow: year-round
Pea tendrils: Sprint

Shopping
Look for firm, glossy, medium sized pods with a slightly velvety feel. Peas should not rattle loosely in the pod. The stem, leaves, and tip should be soft and green. Avoid pods that are puffy, dull, yellowed, or heavily speckled.

Snow peas should be small, shiny and flat. Avoid twisted ones.

Sugar snaps should be bright green, plump, crispy, and firm. Avoid limp or yellowed sugar snaps.

Storage
Refrigerate peas in perforated plastic bag for two days.