It's gardening month, so it would be really exciting to be able to tell you that I'm munching on peas from my garden right now, but look above: that's how far along my babies are.
We're looking at late June for peas. In the meantime, I'm ready to admit that, yes, I am munching on peas, but first, I had to defrost them.
In Melissa Clark's NY Times column last week (An Improvised Asparagus Dish Is a Happy Accident), she slips in an confession of frozen pea use, so I decided to come clean as well.
Truth be told, it's been a frozen pea party in our kitchen of late: our dinners have been punctuated by those little green periods of spring and I'd like to say I only eat them fresh from my local farmer, but the truth is that that bag of frozen peas in the freezer isn't just for boo-boos. As the earth warms up around this time of year, my palate is trained to demand peas. And I cave.
Last night we made risotto with saffron-infused broth, a diced sweet onion, and frozen peas. That's lunch right now. It hits the spot, and it's almost in season.
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Comments (8)
I aways keep a few bags of frozen peas in the freezer. They're so good for emergencies such as stretching a risotto or soup or almost any dish to accommodate unexpected guests. I especially like using them in fresh pea soups because their flavor and texture are great.
I suspect there are a lot more out there like us. and as much as I support the "use your local farm" movement, I think it's equally important not to be rigid about it.
Frozen peas are sometimes better than fresh ones simply because they are picked at their peak and they keep so well in the freezer.
Don't be ashamed of frozen peas!
I'm another who always, always has frozen peas on hand. Repeat after me: there is nothing wrong with quality frozen vegetables! Besides, the season for really good local fresh peas is painfully short in NYC. Not-so-fresh fresh peas don't have great flavor, IMO. I'd rather buy frozen than woody-tasting fresh peas that were shipped cross country.
I can't get fresh peas in the small town where I live. Frozen peas are versatile and can be added to a lot of recipes for that added bit of flavor.
Besides, my dog likes them frozen right out of the bag.
Nigella Lawson has a brilliant recipe for pea & pesto soup which has become a fail-safe meal for me (at least 3 or 4 times a month). And it's all about the frozen peas. Delish.
I have to chime in on the love of frozen peas. I add them to just about everything to add a springy fresh flavor in the dead of winter. Back in my college days when I was living off macaroni and cheese (don't cringe) they were a fresh addition to Annie's Mac & Cheese. Add some mint and I almost fooled myself into thinking I was eating something healthy.
I always have a bag of frozen peas in my freezer too. Love to through them into pasta dishes or soup. I like this minted pea soup recipe and video from www.inyourkitchen.com
Please note that nigella lawson recipie refrenced above is AWSOME and my meatavore husband as well as my beg friends adore it.