Steaming Sugar Snap Peas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Sugar snap peas are a delicious and healthy snack, and steaming is one of the best ways to cook them. They are naturally sweet, and steaming enhances their flavour and gives them a vibrant colour and crisp texture. It's a simple process that can be done on the stove or in the microwave, and only takes a few minutes. You can steam them with a variety of seasonings, such as olive oil, salt, pepper, tarragon, mint, or even wasabi butter.

Cooking time: 2-5 minutes

Steaming sugar snap peas is a quick and easy way to prepare them as a healthy snack or side dish. The key to cooking sugar snap peas is to do so quickly to preserve their vibrant colour, crisp texture, and sweet flavour.

To steam sugar snap peas, first, prepare the peas by rinsing them with water and removing the tough, fibrous string that runs along the sides of the pod. This step is not strictly necessary, as the stringy bits are edible, but they may be challenging to digest.

Next, place the peas in a steamer basket or a microwave-safe dish with a lid. If using a microwave, add a couple of tablespoons of water to the dish to generate moisture for steaming and help ensure the peas do not dry out. Arrange the peas in a single layer to allow for even cooking.

For stovetop steaming, cook the peas for 2-3 minutes. For microwave steaming, cook on high power for 2-3 minutes, or up to 5 minutes if you prefer a softer texture. When cooking in the microwave, start with 2 minutes and then continue in 30-second intervals until the desired texture is reached.

Seasonings: Tarragon, mint, dill, salt, pepper

Tarragon, mint, dill, salt, and pepper are all great seasoning options for steamed sugar snap peas.

If you're looking for a simple seasoning option, salt and pepper are a classic combination that can enhance the natural flavour of sugar snap peas. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper to taste after steaming your peas for a quick and easy side dish.

For a more complex flavour profile, you can try combining tarragon with other seasonings. One recipe suggests boiling or steaming 3/4 cup of trimmed snap peas for 4-5 minutes, then returning them to the saucepan with butter, 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh tarragon or parsley, a pinch of cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together until the peas are well coated and serve immediately.

Mint is another refreshing option for seasoning sugar snap peas. Try stir-frying your snap peas with green onion, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil for 4 minutes. Then, remove from the heat and stir in a tablespoon of chopped fresh mint leaves.

If you're looking for a no-cook option, you can try making a sugar snap pea salad with dill. Slice your snap peas diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces and toss them with sunflower seeds, lemon juice and zest, crumbled feta cheese, sunflower seed oil, and a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill. Add salt and black pepper to taste, and garnish with additional lemon slices and feta cheese.

Remember, when cooking sugar snap peas, it's best to steam or boil them for a very short time—2 to 5 minutes—to preserve their crisp-tender texture and bright green colour.

Blanching: Boil for 1 minute

Blanching is a simple and quick way to cook sugar snap peas. To blanch sugar snap peas, you will need to boil them for 1 minute. This method is ideal if you don't have a steamer basket but still want to cook the peas without losing their crisp texture and vibrant colour.

To start, prepare the sugar snap peas by giving them a good rinse. Next, slice off the top of the peas and remove the fibrous string that runs along the length of the pod on both sides. While this step is not strictly necessary, as the stringy bits are edible, they can be tough and hard to digest.

After preparing the peas, add them to a pot of boiling water for 1 minute. You will know the peas are ready when they turn bright green. Immediately transfer the peas to ice water to stop the cooking process. This will ensure that your peas retain their crisp texture and vibrant colour.

Blanching is a great way to cook sugar snap peas, as it only takes a minute and results in perfectly cooked peas. Give it a try the next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish or snack!

Roasting: High heat, quick cooking

Roasting sugar snap peas is a great way to cook them, and it couldn't be easier! Sugar snap peas are a delicious vegetable that is sweet, crisp, and so good. They are highly versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, boiling, stir-frying, and roasting.

Roasting sugar snap peas is a quick and easy method that will bring out their natural sweetness and give them a delightful crispy texture. To roast sugar snap peas, preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 200°C/400°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare the peas by rinsing them in water and removing the tough, stringy parts that run along the sides of the pods. You can skip this step if your peas already have the strings removed.

Next, toss the peas in a small amount of olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil. You can also add some seasonings to the peas at this stage. Sea salt, black pepper, and fresh or dried herbs like dill or tarragon will all work well. Once the peas are coated in oil and seasonings, spread them out on a baking tray in a single layer.

Place the tray in the oven and roast the peas for 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly roasted to overcooked very quickly. You'll know they're done when they're bright green and just starting to brown in places. Remove them from the oven, and serve immediately. Roasted sugar snap peas make a great side dish, especially when paired with salmon or chicken. Enjoy!

Reheating: Skillet or microwave

Sugar snap peas are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. When reheating, it is important not to overcook them, as this can negatively affect their taste and texture.

To reheat sugar snap peas, you can use either a skillet or a microwave. If using a skillet, ensure it is good and hot before adding the peas. Heat the peas for just a minute or two, stirring frequently, until they are tender but still crisp and bright green.

For microwave reheating, place the peas in a microwave-safe dish and cook briefly until warm. Microwaving for 3 minutes or until the peas are crisp-tender is a good guideline. You can also cut the peas into bite-sized pieces before microwaving to ensure even cooking.

No matter which method you choose, the key is to reheat the sugar snap peas quickly and not overdo it, so they retain their fresh taste, vibrant colour, and crisp texture.

Frequently asked questions