Monday, July 4, 2011

peas!

peas

in vermont, we get a pretty late pea crop. our peas are in top form right now. although i know most of my friends prefer snap peas, we like to plant green arrow, which we've found to be the most reliable english pea variety. have you tried them?

they are deliciously sweet right off the vine and just as wonderful cooked or in a pea puree. the best part about growing english peas is that you will have lots of leftover pods to use in making a simple vegetable stock. in fact, i made a batch last night. you'll find my recipe below. the idea for this stock comes from anna thomas' book, love soup, which i highly recommend.

stock

pea pod stock

as many pea pods as you have available (we keep our pods in a large yogurt container in the freezer until we are ready to use them)

2 leeks (white and light green parts only, slightly chopped)

a bunch of celery

a half of an onion or more if you have it

a handful of rainbow peppercorns

a few twists of sea salt

garlic or garlic scapes

herbs (last night i used a combination of fresh oregano tips and dried thyme)

fill a stock pot with water and add the ingredients. feel free to substitute whatever you have that's been lingering in your fridge for a little too long. bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. simmer for about one hour. let cool and then transfer to a freezer container.

now you have a flavorful vegetable stock to use in your summer and fall soup recipes. enjoy!

7 comments:

  1. hooray! thanks for this as we have been mostly using our (many) pea pods as small boats in the backyard bathtub!

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  2. Yes, deliciously sweet they are, and something for me to look forward to in the warmer months. Peas! I positively live for them!

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  3. Oh how lovely. I love soups, this will be a fine addition to them, thank you.x

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  4. I have never tried these and will check them out. We are having a late pea crop too and have been eating them up as fast as they grow. I just planted a whole lot more and wish I had planted quadruple the amount of my initial planting!

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  5. i love this post, shari. and now am longing for pea broth...

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  6. I just learned of using pea pods for stock this year. How did I miss this... I'm very jealous of your green arrows. They look superb.

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