Tulare County Office of Education

Peas

Reasons to Eat Peas

½ cup of fresh or cooked green peas provides:

– An excellent source of vitamin K.

– A good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, folate and thiamin.

– A source of protein and iron.

What is Thiamin?

• Thiamin is also called vitamin B1.

• It is water soluble, meaning it is not stored in your body.

• Thiamin helps keep the body’s nerves healthy and helps the body use the energy found in food.

Botanical Facts

•Peas are a legume.

•Do you remember what a legume is?

•A legume is a plant that grows pods with seeds inside.

•There are two kinds of peas: green and edible-pod. Edible means you can eat it.

Botanical Facts

Throughout much of the world,

edible-pod peas are referred to

as mange tout, (mahj too) a French word

meaning “eat all”.

They are also nicknamed snapping peas for how they can be ed and eaten like green beans.

Green Peas are also called...

Shelling peas

Garden peas

English peas

Botanical Facts

Here are some edible-pod peas: Snow peasSugar-snap peas

Which ones are snow peas?

A Pod in Pea History

Peas have been around for a long, long, long time.

A Pod in Pea History

Fossilized pea seeds have been

found in the Near East and

Switzerland dating back as far

as 10,000 years ago!

A Pod in Pea History

In Medieval times (400-1500 AD),

peas were a winter staple food

eaten by peasants and royalty.

A staple food is eaten at every meal.

A staple food is typically easy to

grow, can be stored for a long time

without going bad and, best of all, are

high in calories and carbohydrates.

A Pod in Pea History

Peas were planted by American colonists and later by pioneers

traveling west.

Home Grown Facts

Green peas are among the

top ten most eaten vegetables

by California children

(fresh, frozen, or canned)!!

Home Grown Facts

Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Stanislaus counties are the top four PEA producing counties in California.

Why do they grow so well in these counties?

Just the Facts

One of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite vegetables was the English pea.

He planted more than 30 varieties in his garden at Monticello.

1. Peas are an EXCELLENT source of what vitamin?

Vitamin K

2. What are the two kinds of peas?

Green peas and edible pod peas

3. What are two types of edible pod peas?

Snow peas and sugar snap peas

4. Peas have been around for just a short time. True or False

False

5. What president grew 30 kinds of peas in his garden?

Thomas Jefferson

Test Your Knowledge

Tasting TrioPea Dippin’ Good

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

12oz Sugar Snap Peas

12oz Snow Peas

1 tub (24oz) fat-free Greek yogurt

2 Tbs. dry Ranch seasoning

Preparation:

1. Wash all peas and pat dry.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the yogurt and dry mix.

3. Take two of each pea variety and a tablespoon of dip.Nutrition information per serving:

Calories 37, Total Fat 2g, Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 146mg, Carbohydrates 3g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugar 6g, Protein 1g

HOW I FELT ABOUT THIS RECIPE

Loved it It was okay Didn’t like it

d

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