One of my favorite things about late spring in the garden is the peas. Sweet, snappy, and oh-so-snacky, fresh peas are an easy, early vegetable that I can't do without.
Until they're gone, at least, and then I somehow manage.
But that's what is so great about eating from the garden--you get to experience vegetables in their rightful season. And let me tell you, when peas are in their season, you don't want to miss it.
Peas are a cool-season vegetable, which means they don't like hot weather. And that means I have to plant them in late winter to give them enough time to produce before summer sets in.
Until they're gone, at least, and then I somehow manage.
But that's what is so great about eating from the garden--you get to experience vegetables in their rightful season. And let me tell you, when peas are in their season, you don't want to miss it.
Peas are a cool-season vegetable, which means they don't like hot weather. And that means I have to plant them in late winter to give them enough time to produce before summer sets in.
Within a few weeks they are sprouting up and beginning to vine. They send out these pretty tendrils to grasp ahold of whatever support is nearby.
Sometimes they get all tangled up in their eagerness, but who hasn't done that?
Eventually they find something to grasp onto, and traditionally it's sticks that gardeners stick in the soil by the plants so the vines twist around the branches. It's all very picturesque and also incredibly functional.
Wish I'd taken a photo of that. Oh well, at least I got a photo of this:
Eventually they find something to grasp onto, and traditionally it's sticks that gardeners stick in the soil by the plants so the vines twist around the branches. It's all very picturesque and also incredibly functional.
Wish I'd taken a photo of that. Oh well, at least I got a photo of this:
Because once those vines get a firm hold on the branches, they're soon followed by these delicate white blooms, which emerge from the leaf clusters and gracefully unfurl.
This is probably my most favorite part...it all seems so elegant, and since peas aren't even close to being known as an elegant vegetable, I feel the need to point this out.
I occasionally am compelled to defend a vegetable with a bad rap.
I guess we all fight for something.
This is probably my most favorite part...it all seems so elegant, and since peas aren't even close to being known as an elegant vegetable, I feel the need to point this out.
I occasionally am compelled to defend a vegetable with a bad rap.
I guess we all fight for something.
But all fighting aside, that pretty pea flower eventually makes a peaceful transition into a plump pod filled with smooth, round seeds that are bursting with green, spring flavor.
I like to eat them straight from the vine as I'm working in the garden. They make a nice crunchy snack, and I tend to get a little snacky while I'm working.
I like to eat them straight from the vine as I'm working in the garden. They make a nice crunchy snack, and I tend to get a little snacky while I'm working.
Especially when I'm working on shelling peas...I really don't like shelling peas.
It's so monotonous and tedious...And I'm so impatient and whiny.
But shelling peas is a necessary task, because late spring just wouldn't be late spring without this:
It's so monotonous and tedious...And I'm so impatient and whiny.
But shelling peas is a necessary task, because late spring just wouldn't be late spring without this:
Creamed peas and new potatoes! Nothing screams "fresh from the garden" more loudly than this dish.
Although, come to think of it, I myself have been known to scream quite loudly, especially while shelling peas...but I usually scream different words than that.
We all have our moments.
And thankfully, the only thing I feel like screaming at the moment is, "Pass the peas, please!"
But I should probably use my inside voice at the supper table.
Although, come to think of it, I myself have been known to scream quite loudly, especially while shelling peas...but I usually scream different words than that.
We all have our moments.
And thankfully, the only thing I feel like screaming at the moment is, "Pass the peas, please!"
But I should probably use my inside voice at the supper table.
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