Did you know that the pea is a legume and not a vegetable? Today we tell you why the pea is a first division product.We are already in February and the markets are overflowing with their seasonal vegetables and fruits. Young garlic, asparagus, pumpkins, broad beans, beets, cabbage, red cabbage, escarole, spinach, artichokes and the tender, sweet peas.
It is one of the seasonal products, but we have it as a bland and secondary vegetable, generally used as a garnish. Farther from reality, peas are a legume, full of interesting properties and nutrients, in addition to providing us with proteins and providing us with very easy digestion.
Take advantage of this moment to eat them raw and discover how tender and sweet they are.
We tell you ways to take them, how to cook them, their properties and benefits. You'll be surprised.
Its properties
- Minerals: iron, magnesium and phosphorus (trace elements: chromium, manganese), antioxidants, folic acid, pectin and very rich in soluble fiber.
- Vitamins A, B, C and K
- Carbohydrates: contains more proteins and are more digestible than other legumes such as chickpeas, beans or lentils.In addition, it contains a high amount of carbohydrates.
- Take them fresh in season, they provide a high content of iron, being a high prevention for anemic people or people in a state of recovery.
- Thanks to fiber it controls constipation, facilitates digestion and can also be taken by diabetic people for its natural glucose regulation.
- The pea is a vasodilator, it protects your heart and also regulates LDL cholesterol.
- They give us serenity, improves the mood and mental state. It helps regenerate cells and also protects skin, hair and nails.
How to take them
It is important to take advantage of seasonal ones, due to their freshness and abundance of nutrients. Therefore, the best way to take them is raw or cooked as little as possible so that they do not lose their minerals.
Use seasonal ones and when you can't find them fresh, the best option is frozen, which preserves its properties and the sweetness of its collection.
They are sweet and tender to consume in salads, as an accompaniment to other EVOO and pepper recipes, or in hot or cold creams, soups or spreads.
It is important to mix peas in the same meal with rice, couscous or other cereals, so that the protein intake is greater.
We must remember that they are legumes and their contribution is more than triple that of other vegetables. In addition, we have thousands of options to cook them as a main dish and not just as a side dish for a second dish.
Ways to cook them
Spread: Steam the peas for a few minutes, mash them with a fork and add EVOO and pepper (optional, salt or other spices to your liking). You can spread this easy and healthy cream on toast.
Combine them with fresh cheese (ricotta, feta) andit is a quick, simple and, above all, energetic way, which provides you with nutrients and you can have it as breakfast or a snack.
Various salads: cold or warm salads with fresh peas. choose ingredients: spinach sprouts, arugula, fresh peas, very fine red onion, corn, very fine cucumber slices, tomatoes, fresh cheese, fresh chilli, grated carrot, fine apple, You have countless options.
Trick: an hour beforehand, marinate EVOO with rosemary, pepper, chopped black olives, cumin and add the cheese (goat, feta, ricotta) in small pieces so that it is soaked. When serving, combine the ingredients in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper, mix well and add the cheese with the oil. Ready to eat. You can squeeze lemon or lime juice or a few drops of balsamic or apple cider vinegar.
purées, soups: the simple cream with steamed peas, potato and onion is a pleasure as well as quick and easy. Super digestive and suitable for children. Blend, add salt, pepper and EVOO. You can make all the creams and purees in the same way, adding more ingredients of your choice and at the end adjusting with the preferred spices and EVOO.
Possibilities with: zanachoria, pumpkin, potato, leeks, chives, zucchini.
Supplement: to make it creamier and without losing the sweetness, fresh cheese, vegetable milk.
Sprinkle: with crushed pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, chopped almonds, pine nuts.
Rice, cereals and pasta: combine with all of them, spices such as pepper, turmeric, curry, paprika, cumin, cayenne especially.
Sauteed: with EVOO, garlic, tomato, onions are a pleasure.They are very tasty with smoked tofu, brown rice, sweet corn and soy sauce, just sautéed with medium heat, EVOO and spices.