How to Prepare Sugar Snap Peas or Snow Peas

When I first made snow peas for my step-daughters, they called them “crunchy peas.” Why, you ask? Perhaps when you buy snow or sugar snap peas at the grocery store, they are dull and limp?. Perhaps you don’t buy them because of that reason? Well, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a 1,000 times, it’s all in the preparation!! Vegetables are delicious and kids love them, you just have to know how to prepare sugar snap peas and snow peas.



Level of Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Prep Time – 10min; Cook Time – 5 min

Ingredients:

However many snow or sugar snap peas you want. I usually buy a handful per person.
Sauce of your choice. Some of my family’s favorites:

Terriyaki Sauce

Soy Sauce with 1 T butter

Butter

A tiny bit of sesame oil with soy sauce

Equal parts rice wine vinegar and soy sauce with a touch of sesame oil

Asian style chili sauce

How to prepare sugar snap peas:

First and foremost in the list of important steps: wash and soak in ice cold water for a minimum of 30 minutes, especially with snow peas. This will rehydrate them and give them a crunchy pop when you eat them that even sustains during the cooking. I like to soak them for a few hours. Prior to cooking, you can pinch off the ends and pull any strings from the peas you can. This is somewhat optional. Some serve with them on and some do not. I generally take them off until I just don’t have that extre 5-10 minutes and then I don’t. Simple as that. They will definitely be better if you take the time.

When everything else you have prepared for the meal is done, place these in a saute pan with a little bit of water (depends on how many peas, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan). Turn it on high. As the water heats, stir the peas. They will transform to a bright green. Cook no more than 5 minutes. Drain any remaining water and add the sauce of your choice. Toss and serve.

We eat sugar snap peas or snow peas at least once a week as you can buy them fresh at the grocery store all year round.

Important Tips:

Soak them unless you like limp vegetables!!!

Variations:

Try different types of salty, savory, sweet, spicy sauces of your choice. I love Asian style flavors with these peas.

Meal Ideas:

Great with just about any meal as a nice, fresh side. Perhaps with my favorite pork tenderloin