Why Do Shelled Peas Sprout, and Is It Still OK to Eat Them?Good Questions

Q: One of the farmers at my local farmers market sells peas already shelled. It's a wonderful time saver but after just a day the peas start to sprout. Why do they do this and is it still okay to eat the peas?

Sent by Christina

Editor: Christina, peas do sprout very fast! I would recommend keeping them cool and dry, but also eating them quickly. Once peas are shelled they rapidly lose their sweet flavor, and it's best to shell then pop them directly into the pan!

Readers, any advice for Christina on keeping her shelled peas un-sprouted, and also on eating sprouted peas?

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(Image: Christina via The Kitchn's submission form)

Categories: Supplies, Advice, Main, Ingredient Questions, Questions, Vegetable

Posted by Faith Durand

Faith Durand is the executive editor of The Kitchn and the author of Bakeless Sweets: Pudding, Panna Cotta, Fluff, Icebox Cake, and More No-Bake Desserts. She lives in Columbus, Ohio.
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Comments (4)

In general, anything sprouted is still okay to eat. There is an overall concern with sprouts though, and they are considered a "risky" or potentially hazardous food. Because of capillarity, they can soak up and hold onto botulism. But, then again so are meats, melons, and garlic oil.

Just be careful, wash them well, and botulism is killed at a low heat, so if you cook them, there is no concern.

I also only gave a partial answer to your question. Peas are seeds. Seeds are made to grow into new plants. Probably what is happening is they are too wet and thinking it's time to grow!

Echoing the editor, keep them dry and cool.

Or poach and then freeze them, they'll last a few months that way if you don't see yourself eating them within about a week or so

I buy a sprout mix at the store that is heavy on the sprouted peas (though it also has lentils and beans), and I LOVE them on a toasted everything bagel thin. Not the most exciting option, perhaps, but so sweet and tasty.