Snow Peas

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Source: [1]

Scientific name: Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

Classification: Snow peas are classified as part of the edible podded peas cultivar group, which means that their pods are edible and lack a stiff paper-like inner lining. Snow peas look flat and contain sugary seeds. [6]

Years grown at UBC Farm/LFSOG: 10 years, on/off

Growing conditions

The growing conditions for snow peas are listed below:

Soil: well-drained, high in organic matter, pH 6.0 – 7.0. [2]
Sunlight: full sun exposure or with partial shade. (Snow peas yield best in full sun exposure.) [2]
Temperature: peas grow best between 13-18C [6]
Water: soil should be kept moist. Avoid heavy watering during flowering as it may interfere with pollination. Water early in the day to allow the parts aboveground to dry quickly. This helps avoid plant diseases such as powdery mildew. [2]
Planting: Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 1-4 inches apart in rows that are 18 inches apart. [2] When soil is cool and wet, shallow planting is best. [2] If soil is dry, consider planting deeper. [2] Plant seeds in spring, as soon as the soil is dry enough to till without sticking to gardening tools. [8] If planting in late spring and summer, pea seeds soaked for approximately an hour will help with growth in dry soil. [8]
Harvest: Sprouting occurs 6-14 days depending on soil conditions and temperature. [2] Snow peas are usually harvested prior to reaching full maturity, thus they are rather flat with little seeds visible via the pod walls. [7] Pods usually reach this stage approximately 5-7 days after flowering. [7] The pods matures to open pollinate seeds in 56 days. [8] Snow peas must be harvested regularly, approximately once every two days, for sweet, fiber-free pods. [7] To keep the plant healthy and extend the lifespan of the harvesting period, remove overgrown pods, which had missed an earlier picking, as soon as possible. [7]

Seasonality

Snow peas grow best in warm season, which includes mid-spring, late spring, early summer, and mid-summer. [2] Cool, damp weather is preferred. [8]

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Facts/Valeur Nutritive
Serving Size: 98g (1 cup, chopped)
Amount Per Serving	%Daily Value*
Calories 41
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	2%
Dietary Fiber 4g	10%
Sugars 4g
Protein 3g
Vitamine A	22%
Vitamine C	98%
Calcium	4%
Iron	12%
* % Daily value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Information based on Canadian Nutrient File [1][4]

Recipes

Dishes:

Beef with Snow Peas from Allrecipes.com

An Asian style stir-fry served with rice

Vegetarian Option:

Snow Peas with Pine Nuts from Simply Recipes

Light and refreshing

Additional usage inventory

Storage

Fresh peas are best consumed/served shortly after they are harvested and best consumed on the day of purchase. [3] If fresh peas are not consumed right away, they should be refrigerated because approximately half of the sugar content will turn into starch within 6 hours if kept at room temperature. [3] Fresh peas can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. [7] Do not wash the peas prior to storage and when storing in the refrigerator - they should be kept in a perforated plastic bag. [3]

Selection

Snow peas should be bright green in color, shiny and flat, with peas visible through the skin of the pod. Small pods are usually sweeter and more tender than larger ones. A few things to look for when selecting peas includes the firm and glossy appearance with a slight velvety feel. [3]

Preparation

Snow peas should be rinsed prior to consumption. [3]

Academic connections

Research:

The foundation of the study of genetics was formed by Gregor Johann Mendel (Jul 20, 1822 – January 6, 1884) with his experiment with the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants. [4]

References

1. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2010). Canadian food inspection agency. Retrieved from http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

2. Cornell University. (2006) Vegetable Growing Guides – Peas. Retrieved February 23 2010 from http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene9697.html

3. Fruits & Veggies Matter. (2010). Vegetable of the month: peas. Retrieved from http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/month/peas.html

4. Health Canada. (2010). Nutrient data. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/fiche-nutri-data/index-eng.php

5. Mendel, G. (1865). Experiments in plant hybridization (Translated). Retrieved from http://www.esp.org/foundations/genetics/classical/gm-65.pdfNutritionData.

6. Tsao, S.J. & Lo, H,F. (2003) Chapter 1 Vegetables: types and biology. In Handbook of vegetable preservation and processing. Retrieved April 3 2010 from CRCnetbase: www.crcnetbase.com

7. University of Illinois Extension. (2010) Watch your garden grow – peas. Retrieved February 23 2010 from http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/peas1.html

8. West Coast Seeds. (2010) Oregon sugar pod 2. Retrieved April 3 2010 from http://www.westcoastseeds.com/productdetail/Vegetable-Seeds/Peas/Oregon-Sugar-Pod-2/