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What are Snow Peas?

Bright green snow peas are part of the legume family and have edible pods. Snow peas are flat with tiny seeds that are barely visible through the pods.

How do I Prepare Snow Peas?

Very versatile and one of the easiest vegetables to prepare, snow peas can be enjoyed au natural, added to salads, served raw with any kind of dip, or sauteed and buttered. Before cooking or eating them, there are two things to do:

1. Rinse them in water

2. Grab or cut the tip of each snow pea and pull out the tough string that runs along its side.

Why they’re good

Peas are a good, low-calorie source of protein. Snow peas supply less protein and are lower in B vitamins than green shelled peas because they are eaten when their seeds are still immature. However, snow peas provide almost twice the calcium, 100 percent of the RDA for vitamin C, and slightly more iron than green peas in a 100-calorie serving.

How to buy

Snow peas should be shiny and flat, with very small peas that are barely visible through the pod. Smaller pods are the sweetest and the most tender.

Nutrition per 1⁄2 cup serving:

Calories: 55

Total Fat: .26g

Total carbs: 9.8g

Dietary fiber: 3.4g

Protein: 3.1g

ASIAN CHICKEN, TOMATO AND NOODLE SALAD

1 package (8 ounces) vermicelli

Sesame-Ginger Dressing (see recipe)

1 tablespoon peanut oil

1 pound chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 ounces snow peas (about 1 cup)

6 large Boston lettuce leaves

2 large tomatoes , cut in thin wedges

Cook vermicelli; drain. Toss in bowl with half of the Sesame-Ginger Dressing. Heat oil in skillet until hot. Add chicken; turn often, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add snow peas; cook and stir until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly; tear chicken in bite-sized pieces; return to skillet. Stir remaining dressing into mixture. Serve on a large platter with lettuce. Top with noodles, fresh tomato wedges and chicken mixture

Sesame-Ginger Dressing: In a small jar, combine 1/3 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup peanut oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil and 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce. Add 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger. Cover tightly; shake well.

YIELD: 4 servings