Culinarian James Beard was an early fan of the sugar snap pea.
Unlike regular garden peas, which date back to ancient times, the sugar snap is the modern invention of two Montana scientists. When introduced in 1979, Beard raved in the New York Post that the newfangled pea with the round, edible pod was “nothing short of sensational.”
Peas With Sesame Vinaigrette combines two types — shelled, fresh-then-frozen garden-variety peas and sugar snap peas — into a cold salad with an Asian-inspired vinaigrette.
All peas are a very good source of fiber, vitamins A, C and K, and thiamin.
• Shopping tip: Since fresh garden peas deteriorate rapidly, the peas are often picked, shucked and frozen while still sweet and a lovely bright green.