Benefits of Peas

Peas are the seeds of legume plant but in the culinary context, it is treated as a vegetable. This beautiful edible pearl has lots of advantages. In this article, you will find the benefits of peas and the ways to include the same in your diet. Here are the benefits of peas:

1. Aids in Digestion: Fibre is very important for our body and sadly we don’t get enough of it. Peas have an impressive amount of fiber. It helps to keep the digestive system proper by aiding in the bowel movement. For good gut health also fiber is very important.
2. Good Source of Iron: Our body can not have enough iron. Peas are a good source of iron and if you are someone who has low hemoglobin you should definitely include peas in your diet.
3. Excellent Source of Proteins: Peas are rich in proteins. Although because of this, peas can cause bloating. But certainly, peas are a great source of protein.
4. Builds Immunity: Peas are rich in Vitamin C. And therefore peas are great immunity boosters.
5. Good for Eyes and Skin: Peas are packed with lutein. And lutein helps in preventing cataract and loss of sight in older age.
6. Good for Heart: Peas helps in stabilizing the blood sugar levels. Other than this the fiber content of peas also helps to keep the heart-healthy.
7. Helps in Weight Loss: As already mentioned, peas are rich in fiber and low in calories. What more does someone watching his or her needs?

How to select Peas?

Take care of the following points while selecting green peas:

1. Pick the medium-sized pods. Too large pods are over mature and too small are too tiny.
2. Pick the pods which are soft and tender. If you pick the tender peas, you can also use the shell to make a sabji. Yes, the rough part of the shell is removed and the shells are chopped and cooked with a few powdered spices to make a side dish.
3. It is very common to open up a pod and taste the peas for sample checking the taste.
4. The pods must be bulging with the seeds inside.
5. Needless to mention that pick fresh peas.

How to clean Peas?

Follow the following to clean the peas properly:

1. Wash the pods properly.
2. Shell the peas. Always check for the worms. And needless to say that discard the pod if you find any.
3. Wash the shelled peas too.

How to store Peas?

1. The peas pods should be refrigerated till used. Green peas have a short shelf life so make sure to use them in 3-5 days.
2. Once the peas have been shelled, these should be refrigerated till use. The same should be used in a couple of days.
3. To store the peas, the same can be blanched and frozen.

Recipes using Green Peas

Green peas are commonly available in India during the winter season along with other green leafy vegetables. With the offset of winters, other green leafy vegetables leave the market but peas stay in the frozen form. At many households peas are shelled and are frozen, to be used during the year when fresh ones are not available. Good quality frozen peas are also available at the stores. Other than the frozen ones, peas are also available in the dry form. There are a number of recipes using green peas and the same can be prepared any time during the year. The best part about green pea’s recipes is that peas are crowd-pleasers and are liked by one and all. Other than these we have already discussed the benefits of green peas. And therefore the same should be included in the diet.

Recipes using Green Peas:

1. Matar Paneer

Fresh peas and pieces of paneer cooked in a scrumptious tomato-based gravy with the hint ginger and garlic and the richness of cashews is matar paneer recipe. Paneer matar masala is a very popular paneer recipe. This is one of the most popular recipes using peas and a great way to use the benefits of peas.

View the recipe here.

2. Matar Pulao

Matar pulao is flavorsome rice preparation with lots of green peas. It has the flavours of whole spices, the heat of green chillies, ginger and garlic and fresh flavour of peas. The easiest way to add benefits of peas into your diet.

View the recipe here.

3. Nimona

Nimona is a green peas based dish from the state of Uttar Pradesh. Peas are ground and cooked with a few spices to make matar ka nimona.

View the recipe here.

4. Aloo Matar

Potatoes and peas cooked in mildly spiced gravy which has the hint of whole spices, sweetness of onions and heavy cream (malai), which compliments the flavour of peas is aloo matar ki sabji.

View the recipe here.

5. Matar Kulcha

Matar is a tangy and spicy gravy preparation of white peas which is served with a flatbread called kulcha. Matar is flavoured with a jaljeera chutney that makes it so delicious.

View the recipe here.

6. Matar Mushroom

Mildly spiced gravy with a luscious texture and silky consistency, having the flavor and bite of mushrooms and peas, cooked to perfection, is matar mushroom. Matar mushroom recipe is a must-try with fresh peas and mushrooms.

View the recipe here.

7. Soya Matar Kebab

Kebab is basically a dish made with the meat of mutton or lamb. But we talk vegetarian, so we will be making some veg kebabs having same flavors and texture.

View the recipe here.

8. Chura Matar

Chura matar is a delicious break from the regular poha recipes. It is a very distinct poha preparation and is sure to please one and all.

View the recipe here.

9. Matar Chaat

White peas (matar), cooked and topped with chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, ginger, coriander and spices such as red chili powder, chaat masala powder etc, making a tangy and zingy dish, absolutely oil free, is matar chaat.

View the recipe here.

10. Methi Malai Matar

Methi malai matar has the sharpness of methi and the sweetness of malai and matar. And there has got to be a balance between the two. I never found that balance with the earlier recipes.

View the recipe here.