A Perfectly Pretty Plate of Peppermint Peas
A Perfectly Pretty Plate of Peppermint Peas
“The guy must have had p’s for supper.” [Centerburg Tales, Robert McClosky]
Mint adores the wet weather, and our pots of peppermint and spearmint are overflowing with vibrant and luxuriant growth. We dry lots of it for tea, and add newly picked leaves to freshly-squeezed lemonade or brewed iced teas. We also enjoy it on our peas.
Our favorite way to have peas is simple but tasty: chopped fresh mint, garlic and pine nuts. The crowning touch is a dash of toasted sesame oil, whose smoky subtleties are a complement to the whistling freshness of mint.
Shelling Peas
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
August 2, 1926
A gingham apron, wide and full,
A bushel basket full of peas,
A quiet, sunny afternoon
A hungry family to please!
By choice, a chair beneath a tree,
Altho' a shady porch will do.
A cooling breeze to brush my hands,
A bright new pan, by preference, blue!
I think of how, long years ago,
Grandmothers shelled for seventeen!
I think of what a lovely gown
I'd like, of just that soft pea-green.
I think of how much toothsomeness
In one green, tight-sealed pod is held.
So, pondering on such pleasant things,
I find my bushel basket's shelled!
minty peas
The following recipe is the original as found at Simply Recipes, one of my favorite online resources for gourmet recipes. We don’t buy snow peas very often, but tender baby peas work just as well. You can also use butter instead of olive oil, and almonds for the pine nuts. Note that peppermint leaves are much stronger than ‘mint,’ so if you use peppermint you will need to adjust the amount.
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound of snow peas, rinsed, dried, tips of the ends cut off,
strings removed
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
10 large mint leaves, chopped
Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the snow peas, garlic, and pine nuts. Stir to coat with the oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring. You do not want to overcook the snow peas or they will get limp. They should still be a little bit crunchy. Remove from heat. Stir in the sesame oil and chopped mint leaves. Serve immediately. Serves 2-3.
Friday, July 17, 2009