Snap Up Sweet Peas during April’s Harvest of the Month! Peas have been found in historical sites dating nearly 10,000 years old. Peas are thought to have originated from either Thailand and Myanmar, the Middle East, or Ethiopia. Peas are seeds! Peas are part of the legume family. Legumes produce pods that enclose fleshy, edible seeds. There are two main kinds of peas based on their pods. Green (or garden) peas have sweet, full-sized seeds, but the pods are not edible. After green peas are harvested, the pods are removed and only the soft seeds are used. Another group of peas are encased in pods that do not need to be removed. These pods are edible and contain seeds that are not fully developed, so when the entire pea pod is eaten, it is tender and sweet. The two main types of edible pod peas are sugar snap peas and snow peas.
Peas have a variety of key nutrients. First, they have Fiber which keeps digestion running smoothly. Peas also have Folate which can help prevent birth defects, is needed to make DNA, and helps our cells divide, including red blood cells. Peas are packed with Vitamin C which can help our wounds heal, is important for the immune system, and is an antioxidant which protects our cells from damage!
Fresh Sweet Peas grown in Wisconsin are available in June and July. Did you know that Wisconsin ranks third in the nation for the processing of peas? How neat!
Sugar snap peas are a favorite among kids, especially when picked fresh from the garden! You can also serve snap peas with a healthy dip, toss snow peas in a stir fry, or add fresh or frozen green peas to soup or pasta salad! Build excitement for trying new foods and encourage kids to use their five senses to observe, smell, feel, listen, and taste the sweet peas. Can they hear the snap? Snap Up Sweet Peas this Harvest of the Month!
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