Summer Vegetable Faceoff: Peas or Asparagus?

Here's a little Thursday fun. What do you prefer - peas or asparagus? Yes, yes - we know that we don't have to choose between them. They are gloriously in season right now, abundant in the farms and markets. And yet - a faceoff. Which one gets you more excited this time of year? Long, crunch asparagus spears? Or tender peas, fresh from the pod?

While we're at it, any favorite recipes for either of this spring treasures?

(Images: Riton et les petits pois... by Flickr member Mzelle Biscotte Asparagus asparagus (can you do the fandango) by Flickr member itsjustanalias, both licensed for use under Creative Commons)

Comments (6)

Asparagus for sure--you can only get that fresh and local in spring and early summer, but peas are only good when super fresh (like picked yourself or shelled the day of picking), so I can get those frozen all year and they are great. Frozen asparagus not so much.

I won't choose. I put both in a variation of Heidi Swanson's spring panzanella salad this past weekend, and they refused to fight.

I chose peas because that's what I am eating now that aspargus is almost done. But Valhalla is right - you can get good frozen peas but frozen asparagus is only good for soup. I did pickle 10 lbs of asparagus Memorial Day weekend. It is a great treat during the fall and winter.

The fresh vs frozen argument is a good one, but there is just nothing like sugar snap peas right of the vine. Love!

Peas, please-- especially with carrots. YUM.

I disagree with the idea that frozen asparagus is only good for soup. I frequently buy frozen asparagus at trader joe's. Sometimes I'll grill the stalks on my grill pan or foreman grill. Other times I'll quickly steam them and return them to the fridge to chill a bit before topping them off with a tablespoon or two of sauce made from light mayo, cranberry mustard, and a few drops of water.