The humble pea is often overlooked as an ingredient, but with the right amount of care and attention it can take centre stage. Frozen peas are the norm and there’s nothing wrong with them at all (most are usually frozen within hours of being picked, rather than languishing on shop shelves for a week) but when fresh British peas are in season you should always try and get your hands on them. The fresh, sweet flavour means they barely need to be cooked, and they’re often plumper and fuller than their frozen counterparts.
For such little things, peas are big in flavour. They can be paired with all sorts of ingredients – mint is a classic and brings out their freshness, while rich butter and creamy mozzarella create a contrast. Peas are also incredibly versatile; as well as being boiled and served whole, they can be mashed, steamed or made into a puree to complement any dish you have in mind.
Fresh peas are one of summer’s great joys, so they should always be at the top of your shopping list when they’re at their best. The eight recipes below will always stand out during the warmer months, but because frozen peas are of such high quality they’re a great choice year-round, too. Have a look and rediscover one of Britain’s best ingredients.
