Peas

Peas should be bought at their optimum time — if harvested too late, they become dry and less sweet as their sugar converts into starch. Look for bright, shiny, green pods that feel firm and taut. In some cases, frozen peas are actually fresher than freshly podded peas because fresh peas deteriorate so quickly. Peas should be cooked quickly in boiling water or a little butter. They are usually served hot as a vegetable or added to soups and risottos.

Snow peas (mangetout) are a variety of garden pea, eaten pod and all (top and tail before eating). There are two types, those with a flat, thin pod (snow peas) and those with a more rounded pod (sugarsnap or snap peas). Snow peas are eaten raw in salads or used in stir-fries. Sugarsnap peas are more developed than snow peas. Use whole, in stir-fries or noodle dishes.