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Snap peas are peas that are a cross between snow peas and garden peas. They are bright green and contain a pod that holds peas inside. They have a crispy texture and a slightly sweet taste. You can eat these vegetables raw or you can prepare them different ways. Two ways to cook snap peas are by sautéing or by steaming. However, to make sure they hold their crispy texture, it is important to cook them for a short time. If you want to master the different methods of cooking snap peas, see Step 1 below to get started.
Steps
Boiling Snap Peas
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1Wash the snap peas in a colander with cold water. Take them out of the sink and place them inside a paper towel. Use a blotting motion to dry them.
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.2Inspect the snap peas. Remove any snap peas that have too many blemishes on them or cut off the blemishes and preserve the remaining snap pea.Advertisement -
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.3Place the snap peas on the cutting board. Chop off the ends of the snap peas on each side. -
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.4Fill a 3-quart (2839 ml) pot with water. Place the water on the stove. Adjust the temperature on the stove so it begins to boil. Once you notice steam coming from the pot, place the snap peas inside a netted steamer. Place the netted steamer inside the pot so it is submerged in the boiling water. -
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.5Cover the pot with the lid. Leave the snap peas on the stove and inside the pot to allow the hot water to boil and cook the peas. -
6Wait 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the stove and place it on a cooling rack.
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.7Remove the netted steamer with the peas from inside the pot. Place the snap peas on a dish. Place a spoonful of butter onto the peas. Season the peas with a dash of salt and pepper.
Sautéing Snap Peas
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1Prepare the snap peas by properly washing them and cleaning them. Place them in a medium sized bowl.
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.2Set a non-stick sauté pan onto the stove. Place a few spoonfuls of butter into the pan. Set the temperature on medium heat. -
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.3Allow the pan to heat up. Once the butter begins to sizzle, place the snap peas in the pan. -
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.4Add a dash of salt and a dash of pepper to the snap peas as they cook. Move the snap peas around using a non-stick utensil. Cook the peas for 1 to 2 minutes until they are done. -
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The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.5Remove the pan from the stove. Place the pan on a cooling rack or potholder. Remove the peas from the pan and place them onto a plate.
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I microwave snap peas?
Community AnswerYes, you can. -
QuestionHow do I prepare fresh vegatables for an 8-month-old baby?Community AnswerSteam the vegetables until softened, then puree using a blender or food mill.
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QuestionWhen microwaving the snap peas, I noticed that some of the pods were tough and stringy. Others were OK. Any suggestions for this? Maybe microwaving longer?
DonaganTop AnswererThe toughness of pods is related to their age. Water-boiling or microwaving can help, but some may be too old to eat.
Things You'll Need
- Snap peas
- Colander
- Cold water
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- 3 quart (2839 ml) pot
- Netted steamer
- Salt
- Pepper
- Medium bowl
- Non-stick pan
- Butter
- Non-stick utensil
- Potholder or cooling rack
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References
About This Article
To cook snap peas, start by cutting off the blemishes or removing any peas with too many blemishes. Then, rinse the peas under cold running water, chop off the ends on each side, and place the peas in a netted steamer. Next, boil 3 quarts of water in a pot, place the steamer inside once you notice steam coming from the pot, then cover with the lid and cook for 5 minutes. Finally, take the pot off the stove and let it cool for 5 minutes before removing the steamer. To learn more, including how to saute your snap peas in butter, scroll down.
