Who are we kidding? You probably aren’t on the edge of your seat waiting for peas to come in season. That’s because, as far as frozen fare goes, peas are the king, requiring little defrosting before you can toss them into a dish and start eating. Still, even if that lifestyle works for the rest of the year, springtime is the time to get your fresh pea fix. In the spirit of the season, we’ve got quite a few ways for you to put these little green gems to use. Most of these recipes call for the frozen alternative, but you can make your dishes worthy of springtime by swapping in the fresh stuff to your heart’s content.
When a need for pasta salad arises, Ina Garten’s Pasta, Pesto and Peas (pictured above) is the freshest way you can make it. Toss the pasta with homemade pesto and be sure to swap in fresh peas for frozen for that extra pop.
Just like a vibrant green basil pesto mixed in your food processor, Giada De Laurentiis’ top-rated Pea Pesto Crostini is a colorful dish that gets its green hue from blended peas. Using market-fresh peas instead of the frozen bag will ensure a more flavorful and fresh spread for slathering on toasted bread.
Taking only 30 minutes, our Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole with Ham and Peas is a weeknight dream. With a package of potato gnocchi on your side, you can make a hearty, comforting skillet dinner that is even better when fresh peas are thrown in the mix.
For more reasons than pure alliteration, Peas and Pancetta simply go together. Michael Symon’s recipe for Food Network Magazine calls for shelled fresh peas from the get-go, and it gets major flavor from shallots, garlic, orange zest and Italian bacon.
Food Network Magazine’s Creamy Spring Peas with Pancetta dish is a true trifecta, tossing fresh shelled English peas, sugar snap peas and snow peas for the ultimate crunchy yet creamy green veggie side.
Get more pea recipes from our friends:
Creative Culinary: Peas with Bacon and Crispy Leeks
Daisy at Home: No-Cook Spring Succotash
Weelicious: Summer Pea Salad
Virtually Homemade: Green Pea Hummus
Homemade Delish: Peas That Please
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Marinated Peas & Peppers Salad
Red or Green: English Pea Mash on Garlic Rubbed Bruschetta
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Cauliflower and Peas Stir-Fry
Taste with the Eyes: Pasta with Peas, Bacon, Mint, and Ricotta
The Mom 100: Spring Ramp and Pea Risotto
Dishin & Dishes: Sesame Sugar Snap Peas
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The Freshest Ways to Pass the Peas, Please — Sensational Sides