Sugar snap peas are eaten whole, not shelled like the familiar English pea. There are so many ways to enjoy these crisp pods–including raw, as a simple snack–but one of our favorite ways to eat them is sautéed.
Ingredients:
1 pint sugar snap peas
1 tablespoon olive oil (can be substituted for sesame or avocado oil)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced shallot
½ lemon, squeezed (optional)
2 teaspoons roasted sesame seeds (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cut any stem-like pieces off of your sugar snap peas
Blanche your peas: Fill a bowl with ice water and set to the side. Bring a saucepan filled with water to a boil, and drop your peas in for about 1 minute. Transfer peas from boiling water to ice water. Drain and set aside.
Add your olive oil to the now-empty saucepan and heat over low/medium.
Add shallots and cook for 1 minute or until soft.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until slightly brown.
Add sugar snap peas and sauteed for about 3 minutes.
Remove from heat. Add lemon, sesame seeds (both optional), salt and pepper.
Yields about 4 servings (as a side dish)