Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Frozen Peas
• Preparation of peas
• Blanching the peas
• Pea packaging
• Method 2 of 3: Freezing the peas in the pods
• Preparing the pods
• Blanching the pods
• Packing and freezing pods
• Method 3 of 3: Cooking Frozen Peas
• Tips
• What do you need

Fresh peas straight from the garden are delicious. But if you happen to harvest a big crop and want to pamper yourself with fresh peas at any time of the year, freezing is a great way to preserve their taste and aroma.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Frozen Peas

Preparation of peas

1. 1 Go through the pods. Choose fresh and ripe pods that are bright green. Throw away anything with mold and blackheads.
2. 2 Peel the peas. As with pods, discard any dots or mildew.
   • If you have a lot of peas, find helpers. It's a long job, but if you have someone to talk to, it can become more interesting. But work quickly - from contact with air, the skin of the grains becomes denser. If you do not have helpers, peel the pods in parts, blanch, and then get down to the next part.
3. 3 Rinse the peas. Place the peas in a colander. Rinse under running water, throwing away any debris you notice.
   • Move the peas to a second colander and rinse the first to clear any dirt.
   • Rinse again. Then fold in a colander and rinse a third time.

Blanching the peas

1. 1 Blanch the peas. The peas need to be blanched to keep them looking fresh and green. Without blanching, it will turn black and lose flavor. To blanch:
   • Boil a large pot of water. Fill a large bowl with ice water and toss in some ice cubes. Set aside for already blanched peas.
   • Add peas in portions. If you have a lot of peas, blanch them in portions. Peas should be placed in a colander larger in diameter than a saucepan or in a muslin / other cloth bag and dipped in boiling water. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for you to get it out of the pan after blanching in time.
   • Blanch for 3 minutes. Watch the pot so the water doesn't run out.
2. 2 Take out the peas. Place it immediately in a bowl of ice to stop the cooking process.
3. 3 Leave the peas to drain in a colander or cloth bag. Press gently to remove excess moisture.

Pea packaging

1. 1 This part needs to be done quickly. The sooner the peas get into the freezer, the more likely they are to stay fresh and whole. If it stays at room temperature for too long, it risks becoming too soft. Place blanched peas in bags or suitable freezer containers. Pack it as tightly as you can to minimize the amount of air inside the package. Leave about 1/2 inch / 1.5 cm free space to compensate for the volume increase when freezing.
   • Press gently to remove excess air from the package. By pouring ice water onto the package, more excess air can be removed.
   • Seal, mark and date.
2. 2 Place bags or containers in the freezer.

Method 2 of 3: Freezing the peas in the pods

Edible pea pods include sugar pods and snow peas. It can also be frozen using the following recipe.

Preparing the pods

1. 1 Go through the pods. They should be deep green in color, without blackheads and mold.
2. 2 Rinse the pods. Place the pods in a colander and rinse under running water. Remove any floating debris. Rinse thoroughly several times.
3. 3 Remove the edges of the pods and any loose fibers.

Blanching the pods

Just like with beans, blanching preserves the freshness, flavor and rich color of the pods.

1. 1 Boil a large pot of water. Prepare a large bowl of ice water and ice cubes to cool the pods after blanching.
2. 2 Place the pea pods in a muslin / cloth bag or strainer / wire basket. Submerge the bag or basket in boiling water. Blanch in the following order:
   • 1 minute for snow peas
   • 1 1/2 - 2 minutes for sweet pods.
3. 3 Remove from heat. Place immediately in ice water to stop cooking immediately.

Packing and freezing pods

1. 1 Dry the pods. Let the excess water drain out of the colander. You can also dry them with a paper towel, but don't leave the pods in the air for too long so they don't get stiff.
2. 2 Pack in reusable bags or suitable tight freezer containers. Pack tightly and press gently to release excess air before sealing. Leave a small gap, approximately 1/2 in. / 1/5 cm, at the top of the package to compensate for the increase in volume when freezing.
   • Alternatively, place in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Wrap in plastic and freeze. Then pack the already frozen pods.
3. 3 Mark and date the package or container.
4. 4 Place in the freezer.

Method 3 of 3: Cooking Frozen Peas

1. 1 Remove the peas from the freezer. Take the required amount, leaving the excess in the freezer.
2. 2 Cook in boiling water. If cooking as a separate dish, cook for 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of peas. You can also steam it for a slightly longer time.
   • Add sugar or butter for flavor.
3. 3 Add directly to the food you are cooking. Frozen peas can be added to soups, stews, casseroles, stir-fries, etc. while cooking. Frozen peas can be added directly to stews and stir-fries.

Tips

• Frozen peas can be stored for up to 8 months.

What do you need

• Bowls for empty pods
• 2 colander
• Large cooking pot
• Water
• Cloth bags (muslin, gauze, etc.) or a colander with wide handles to fit in a pot.
• Reusable bags suitable for freezing or sealed containers for freezing.
• Label marker