Sugar snap peas — or simply snap peas — were created as a cross between the snow pea and the garden pea in the 1970s. The garden pea is slightly sweeter than the snow pea but has a much tougher outer pod that needs to be shelled and discarded before eating.
What’s the difference between peas and sugar snap peas?
Sugar snap peas are a cross between snow and garden peas. The pods of snow peas are flatter with small, premature peas, whereas sugar snap peas are more rounded. Both have an identical nutritional profile and very similar flavors although sugar snap peas tend to be sweeter and more flavorful.
What is another name for sugar snap peas?
Alternate Synonyms for “sugar snap pea”:
snap pea; edible-pod pea; edible-podded pea; Pisum sativum macrocarpon.
What are garden peas?
Garden peas (Pisum sativum L.) are cool-season crops that include the common green English pea and the edible-podded pea. English peas are shelled and only the seed eaten, whereas edible-podded peas are eaten whole.
What is the difference between garden peas and snow peas?
Snow peas are flat with small peas inside. They are tender and unlike the garden pea, the entire vegetable is enjoyable to eat. Two to three inches in length, they’re ends are commonly trimmed and then they are used whole in stir-fries or blanched with some butter.
What is the sweetest tasting pea?
Lamborn found the peas and the pods to be incredibly sweet and perfectly edible. The plant he discovered eventually became known as the Sugar Snap Pole Pea and in 1979 was selected for an AAS award.
Can you eat garden pea pods?
There are lots of kinds of peas. Peas with edible pea pods include sugar, Chinese and snow peas. Snow peas, also known as sugar peas, have edible flat pods with small peas inside them. Snap peas also have edible pods but they have full-size peas in them.
Can you eat raw sugar snap peas?
Eat sugar snap peas raw or gently boiled so they don’t lose that wonderful crisp crunch – they’re great in salads or stir-fries.
Are garden pea pods poisonous?
Sweet peas produce pods with peas inside them, and these are peas are poisonous, but only present a low toxicity hazard to humans. From reports of a gardener I spoke to who accidentally ate them, they taste bitter when eaten fresh, but when cooked the bitterness goes away but they don’t have much flavour.
Why are my sugar snap peas so tough?
If left on the plant for too long, those sugars are converted into starches so the peas become fibrous and tough with a less sweet flavor.
Can you eat garden peas raw?
Garden peas are also sometimes called sweet peas or English peas. The pods are firm and rounded, and the round peas inside need to removed, or shelled, before eating (the pods are discarded). The peas are sweet and may be eaten raw or cooked; these are the common peas that are sold shelled and frozen.
Are sugar snap peas healthy?
Summary. Sugar snap peas are a healthy source of complex carbohydrates, offering fiber and protein. They are a nutritious low-calorie source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and potassium.
Can I use sugar snap peas instead of snow peas?
While sugar snap peas are just a bit sweeter than snow peas, the two vegetables have very similar flavors and can be substituted for one another in recipes without a problem.
What are the best peas to eat?
Recommended Varieties
- Daybreak (54 days to harvest; 20 to 24 inches tall, good for freezing) Spring (57 days; 22 inches tall; dark green freezer peas)
- Sparkle (60 days to harvest; 18 inches tall; good for freezing)
- Snowbird (58 days; 18 inches tall; double or triple pods in clusters)
What is the best snap pea?
7 Best Sugar Snap Pea Varieties (+ Where to Get Seeds)
| Snap Pea Variety | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Tendersweet* | 12-20 inches | 65-70 days |
| Amish Snap Pea | 5+ feet | 60-70 days |
| Cascadia* | 24-36 inches | 60-68 days |
| Sugar Magnolia | 6+ feet | 70 days |
Are snow peas and snap peas the same thing?
Sugar snap peas are a cross between snow and garden peas. The pods of snow peas are flatter with small, premature peas, whereas sugar snap peas are more rounded. Both have an identical nutritional profile and very similar flavors. Still, sugar snap peas tend to be sweeter and more flavorful.
Do sugar snap peas cause gas?
Snap peas are an excellent source of dietary fiber, but eating too much fiber can also cause stomach distress. In some cases, eating too much fiber can lead to gas, bloating, or abdominal pain.
Do you eat the shell of snap peas?
You can eat the entire pod raw or cooked, though some people prefer to trim off the ends and pull of the string that runs down the middle of the pods. For best results, rinse the snap peas, trim the ends, and let your imagination run wild. You’ll find that cooking with snap peas is, well, a snap!
Can dogs eat snap peas?
We’re talking about green peas, specifically: snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas. You can feed your dog fresh, frozen, or thawed peas, but do not give your dog canned peas. Like many canned vegetables, canned peas typically have a lot of added sodium, which is harmful to dogs (and humans).
How do you eat garden peas?
Peas can be served raw or cooked. Boil or steam fresh peas in a minimum amount of water in a covered saucepan 30 seconds to 1 minute but no more than 3 minutes. Overcooked peas will be mushy. Use fresh, raw, sweet English peas tossed into salads.
Can you eat the skin of garden peas?
I didn’t know that you could make pea pods edible. I knew about snap peas and snow peas, but who knew that you can take a regular tough pea pod and a sharp knife, skin the inner plastic cellulose out, and the outer heavier skin can become a little boat? You can stuff it in with peas and decorate your plate.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.