I’ve had the great pleasure this year of successfully growing snow peas. The particular variety (Oregon Sugar Pods) that seems to have been developed for this area has been a prolific grower and tastes exceptionally sweet. The first couple of harvests were the best I’ve had. I’ve also been growing two varieties of yellow peas and a variety called Sugar Magnolia. I’ve had a pretty good run, but now they’re at the end of their season. I’ve got enough for one last dish and added some I acquired at our farmer’s market.
Minted Peas are something that I heard of as a kid, though I never had them. As a kid, I was not too fond of peas and learned to like them from eating Chinese-style snow peas. Peas with pearl onions is another dish that seems fairly common. This dish combines the two in a very nice way. It’s kind of like a stir-fry, though it’s not Asian-style. The fresh mint and scallions work perfectly to dress them up, and the added butter pulls them together. I garnished them with allium flowers (nodding onion, society garlic, and common chives) just because I have them, but that’s optional, of course.
You can use any kind of pea with this recipe. I mixed them up because I had them, but if you have one kind, that will work. The dish comes together quickly and easily, so it’s best to have everything ready.
Snow Peas with Mint
Ingredients
- 2 cups snow peas or any mix of peas
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium scallions or spring onions, sliced thin
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1-½ cups lightly packed pea shoots or micro greens
- A large handful of fresh mint leaves
- Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cook the peas until just tender—about 3 minutes. Drain.
Heat the olive oil in the same pan; add the onions with a pinch of salt and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the peas and cook for an additional minute.
Add the butter, a tablespoon at a time, stirring until melted. Lastly, stir in the pea shoots and mint just until wilted. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Remove from heat and serve.
Serves 3-4.
