Soon we will be planting cold season crops like peas. Peas originated in southeast Asia went to China and was brought back to Europe thru trade. It was not until 1940 that peas become a staple in North America. But did you know there are several types of peas?
The English pea (common or shelling pea) is the most common. They are grown for their peas with the husk having a fiber texture not being eatable. When the pea gets over mature it becomes less sweet. Like sweet corn, their shelf life is only 3 to 4 days to retain their sugar content. The short varieties can be planted 6 in 8 inches in rows. This way they support each other. The taller varieties need a fence to grow on.
The other type of pea is a snow pea (Chinese or sugar pea). The pod itself is used before the peas form. They are used in traditional stir-fry dishes. Types are a sugar daddy and Oregon sugar pod peas.
Another type of pea is the sugar snap pea. These are a cross between the common pea and snow pea. They should be allowed to plump up with peas and use the whole pod. The pod is tender and sweet. Sugar Ann is the best-known sugar pea.
Lesser know type is a winged pea. The plant has red flowers and a pod with 3 ridges on it. Pods are eaten raw in salads or cooked. Flavors resemble asparagus.
Field peas are dried to use in cooking and soups. Varieties include crowder peas and black-eyed peas. They are technically beans and popular in southern cooking.