Mill Creek Farm’s food safety manager Beth Vader-Kuijpers, 37, was eight when her parents began growing and packing fresh green peas. They’re now shipped throughout Ontario and east to the Maritimes.

 

“At that time, the shelled peas arrived at the sorting table in buckets and the whole family would scoop them into bags by hand with a 2-cup measure,” Vader-Kuijpers recalls.

“We’d add a twist tie, then put the bags on trays and deliver them to local grocery stores, where they were an instant success.”

Until the mid-1900s, the county was dotted with canning factories instead of wineries, and the Garden County provided 30 per cent of Canada’s canned fruits and vegetables. Neil Vader worked for Cobi Foods, managing field operations for crops including peas. His own family has farmed in the county since 1800.

As tastes evolved, Vader decided to try his hand at selling fresh shelled peas, buying equipment left behind as the canneries closed. Today, the family harvests more than 400 acres of peas from mid-June until Thanksgiving.

If you’ve bought green peas in the shell and found them starchy instead of sweet, you’ll understand how crucial it is to pick them young before the sugars turn to starch.

 

“My dad and brother have been doing it for so long, they can throw a handful of peas in their mouth and know if they’re ready,” says Vader-Kuijpers.

Keeping delicate peas cold also helps preserve their sweetness.

As for recipes, hot buttered peas and creamed peas on toast remain Vader family favourites, and she says her own three kids happily eat peas for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

“Peas are so delicious and healthy,” she says. “You can add a handful to just about any recipe and it’s easy to get the whole family to eat them.”

Nutri-Bonus

Green peas are an excellent source of folacin and a source of Vitamins A, C and potassium, with 5 grams of fibre per cup. They’re also low-cal; 1/2 cup (125 mL) of cooked peas has just 70 calories.

Buy & Store

• Farmer’s markets are a good source of fresh peas in the pod.

• Choose full, bright green pods. If you can see the pea shape through the pod or if the peas are square-looking they’re likely past their prime and starchy.

• Keep cold! Refrigerate, unshelled, in a perforated plastic bag up to three days. The sooner you cook them, the sweeter they’ll be.

• Bags of shelled Mill Creek Farm peas should be used quickly or frozen for later use.

• Frozen sweet “petits pois” are a great option year-round. Thaw at room temperature and cook for a minute or throw into casseroles as is.

• Wash just before use.

Prep

• To shell pods, cut off stem end and remove strings. Open pod and run your thumb down its length to remove peas.

• Cooking makes peas taste sweeter and turns them bright green.

• Beth Vader-Kuijpers starts peas in cold water. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Drain and add butter, salt and pepper to taste.

• When boiled, peas may release a foam of water-soluble protein. “You know you’ve cooked them too long if you have a pot full of foam!” she says.

Serve

• From soups to salads, grain dishes to casseroles, peas suit any recipe.

• The French add fresh mint and thin-sliced lettuce to sautéed green peas.

• Toss hot peas with finely chopped tarragon, chives, sorrel, mint or parsley at the last minute.

Chilled Pea Soup with Mint Yogurt

My favourite caterer Simon Kattar of à la Carte Kitchen offers this bright, minty summer soup.

2 tbsp (30 mL) butter

3 medium leeks, (white and light green parts), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

4 cups (1 L) reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 cups (750 mL) fresh or frozen green peas (1 kg in pod)

2 tsp (10 mL) salt

1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground black pepper

1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt

2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped mint leaves

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken broth and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil. Add peas and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.

Purée pea mixture until smooth with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender or food processor.

Transfer soup to a bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup (125 mL) yogurt. Adjust salt and pepper and chill 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

To serve, whisk together lemon juice and remaining yogurt. Add chopped mint and swirl into each bowl. Makes 4 servings.