Tender Snow Pea
Tender Snow Pea
The Tender Snow Pea: Magical Pods
My Love Letter to Snow Peas
Early in life, snow peas only existed in our families monthly order of Chinese American Takeout. Any dish my parents ordered with shrimp seemed to come with bright green, semi-translucent pods with small barely noticeable peas. The were tender and barely cooked. Each pod was crunchy and tasted like the sauce it held perfectly.
As children, we imaged that snow peas were baby pea pods. Just like the baby corn cobs we found in Chinese-American Food, we just thought that Chinese-American Food always featured baby vegetables.
We were right in that snow peas are an edible-pod that contain seeds. The pods are eaten before they fully ripen.
Today, I am a great fan of snow peas in stir-fries and as a snack that can be dipped into a variety of sauces or hummus. Their crunchy texture with mild/minimal flavor, snow peas partner with great dips if you are trying to reduce carbs or avoid chips all together.
At one point I thought snow peas grew in snowy weather. I grew up in Arizona. I didn’t learn about snow until much later in life. Turns out, I’m not the only one who thinks snow peas are misnamed. Snow peas are also know as Chinese pea and mangetout (French for “eat-all’). The snow in their name makes them see hardy and able to withstand rough weather but in actually they may be better named spring pea (which already has a vegetable assigned to it) but the “snow” pea is so young and tender. It takes on any sauce or seasoning. Taste great raw or cooked.
FYI: Snow and sugar snap peas can easily be interchanged in many recipes and dishes, as their flavors are quite similar. The main difference in regard to flavor is their level of sweetness.
Snow peas are a slightly tender — yet crisp — sweet pea.
Sugar snap peas are also tender yet crisp but tend to have a sweeter flavor profile, as they’re crossed with the garden pea.
In fact, they’re often considered the most flavorful variety of pea.
Nutrition
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of either snow peas provides:
Principle | Nutrient Value | Percent of RDA |
|---|---|---|
Energy | 42 Kcal | 2% |
Carbohydrates | 7.55 g | 6% |
Protein | 2.80 g | 5% |
Total Fat | 0.20 g | 1% |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 7% |
Vitamins | ||
Folates | 42 μg | 10.5% |
Niacin | 0.600 mg | 4% |
Pantothenic acid | 0.750 mg | 15% |
Pyridoxine | 0.160 mg | 12% |
Riboflavin | 0.080 mg | 6% |
Thiamin | 0.150 mg | 12.5% |
Vitamin A | 1087 IU | 36% |
Vitamin C | 60 mg | 100% |
Vitamin E | 0.39 mg | 2.5% |
Vitamin K | 25 μg | 21% |
Electrolytes | ||
Sodium | 4 mg | <1% |
Potassium | 200 mg | 4% |
Minerals | ||
Calcium | 43 mg | 4% |
Copper | 0.079 mg | 9% |
Iron | 2.08 mg | 26% |
Magnesium | 24 mg | 6% |
Manganese | 0.244 mg | 10.5% |
Selenium | 0.7 μgg | 1% |
Zinc | 0.27 mg | 2% |
Phyto-nutrients | ||
Carotene-α | 44 μg | -- |
Carotene-β | 630 μg | -- |
Cryptoxanthin-β | 0 μg | -- |
Lutein+zeaxanthin | 740 μg | -- |
Unlike your typical shelled pea, snow peas are much less starchy — meaning they contain fewer carbs.
In fact, snow peas provide less than 8 grams of carbs in 3.5 ounces (100 grams).
Snow peas offer various important nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K and folate — while being low in fat, cholesterol and sodium.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/snow-peas-vs-sugar-snap-peas#nutrition
Growing Snow Peas Indoors
Nimble Nitecap offer “Mammoth Melting Sugar Snow Pea Heirloom Seeds” snow peas seeds
Click here to purchase.
Tender Snow Pea Recipe: 5 Ways to Cook Snow Peas
Our recipe is from Yummy Addiction. This website emphasizes eating the seasons. This recipe outlines the proper way to clean snow peas and how to cook them in a saute, stir-fry, blanched, steamed, and microwaved.
My fav is raw and saute. These simple, tender snow peas are so easy to prepare they are worth a try.
https://yummyaddiction.com/how-to-cook-snow-peas/
Health Claims:
Snow peas have various minerals that are needed by the body to increase bone mineral density, such as iron, potassium, and manganese, among others. Although these minerals are found in small amounts, they can help lower your risk of osteoporosis.
https://www.organicfacts.net/snow-peas.html
Vitamin C
Snow peas are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing 100% of your daily needs in just 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant associated with impressive health benefits, such as reduced heart disease risk and improved blood pressure control and immunity.
Additionally, snow peas are rich in other antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids. These have been shown to decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke by preventing cell damage.
Vitamin K
Snow peas are good sources of vitamin K. This nutrient is involved in various bodily functions, including blood clotting and bone metabolism. Many studies suggest that vitamin K plays a key role in increasing bone strength and density. The correlation between inadequate vitamin K intake and osteoporosis is strong.
This vitamin also appears to be important for heart health — it helps prevent the calcification of your blood vessels, which could decrease your risk of heart disease. What’s more, many studies indicate that vitamin K may lower blood pressure by relaxing constricted blood vessels and allowing your heart to effortlessly pump blood through your body.
Fiber
Snow peas are relatively rich in fiber — which is important for your overall health.
Fiber can promote digestive health by preventing constipation and may be beneficial for blood sugar control.
Furthermore, fiber promotes feelings of fullness and may aid weight loss.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/snow-peas-vs-sugar-snap-peas#benefits
Snow Pea Facts
Scientific Classification: Snow peas belong to the species Pisum sativum and are part of the legume family (Fabaceae). They are a variety of pea and are scientifically categorized under the subspecies Pisum sativum var. saccharatum.
Culinary Uses: Snow peas are often used in stir-fries, salads, and Asian dishes. They are typically eaten whole, pod and all, because their pods are edible, tender, and sweet.
Growing Conditions: Snow peas thrive in cool weather and are best planted in early spring or late summer, as they do not perform well in hot temperatures. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun.
Harvesting: Snow peas are typically harvested when the pods are still flat and before the peas inside have fully developed. They are usually ready to be picked 60-70 days after planting.
