The peas “Pisum sativum” is characterized by being a plant belonging to the herbaceous family, fully extended worldwide and native to the Mediterranean basin, its cultivation is carried out to consume their seeds as food, although its sheath has also been used in the field of gastronomic and medicinal. Its wide use allows you to enjoy its potassium content (244 mg) through which to achieve a perfect electrolyte balance, while its vitamin C and magnesium (40 mg and 33 mg) respectively make your immune system achieve a great improvement in its effectiveness.
Peas are available either fresh or canned and due to their short season (late winter – late spring) it is very important to get the most out of them and that is why it is important to know how to preserve fresh peas for a long time. There are several ways to achieve this proper use through the implementation of various concrete techniques that will be explained below and adding this knowledge in the same way that you managed to learn to reheating meat If you have any leftovers, from the Mansion of Ideas, we invite you to keep your peas fresh for a long time.
How to preserve fresh peas for a long time
The quality of the peas and the possibilities of achieving excellent conservation of the same is multiplied when you acquire high quality peas; try to take the pods that maintain firmness, homogeneity in colour, without holes and that do not have fungi. You can store and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freeze them for a longer preservation time. Let’s take a detailed look at each of the different techniques for their preservation.
1. Storage of fresh peas in the refrigerator
- Select the best specimens at the time of purchase. Observe and detail them to the extreme and eliminate the beaten, discoloured, deteriorated and open ones.
- Wrap the peas in the absorbent paper; when they are tender, they should not be washed because you would be accelerating the decomposition process. This drying ensures efficient durability by eliminating moisture.
- Use a plastic bag to store them, make some holes, and place the fresh peas wrapped in absorbent paper inside the bag. This will prevent moisture from condensing and consequently rotting the peas.
- Store them in the refrigerator by placing them in the vegetable drawer, this is one of the most recommended places to prevent excessive cold from burning them.
This simple storage method will allow you to enjoy at least 5 days of fresh peas on average, working perfectly for both shelled peas and peas still in their pods.
2. Preservation of peas by freezing method
To achieve a high preservation rate of these foods, nothing better than taking them to their freezing point; this system offers you intact preservation for any time or season. Let’s take a closer look at this easy-to-achieve technique.
- You must also choose peas of exceptional quality. That they remain firm and are not too ripe.
- Wash the peas and if they are still in their pods proceed to shelling and then wash them with plenty of water.
- In a pot of boiling water, proceed to blanch the peas; just 2 minutes will be more than enough time. Please remove them and stop the cooking process with cold water.
- Drain them very well by removing them from the cold water using a strainer and placing them on a baking tray, which you have previously lined with waxed paper. Freeze for a couple of hours.
- Once this time has elapsed, remove them from the freezer and proceed to pack the peas in plastic bags, taking care to eliminate as much air as possible from the bags. These portions can be prepared in size and proportions of your particular feeding needs and only defrost the necessary portions and quantities in the future.
- Store them in the refrigerator (frozen) by inserting each of the prepared bags filled with peas.
This freezing method guarantees you an exclusive shelf life and preservation rate of peas of up to 18 months at the most, as long as the conditions of the peas’ cold chain are not violated. In addition, you will have the full certainty of not needing to thaw them to add them to your preparation; you can add them frozen without any problems.
Keep them for a beneficial diet
This preservation guarantees you a safe supply of this food for consumption and for your body to enjoy the large amounts of vitamins and minerals that peas can offer you. Resulting in a rich and secure supply of proteins regulating both the intestinal flora and the delicate transit of food through the intestine, as well as providing you with a healthy intake of fibre and a feeling of satiety, capable of decreasing food consumption and therefore working to help you in the diets of weight loss.
A technique of high simplicity will allow you to enjoy all the benefits and valuable properties this plant offers. food, remember that fresh peas are perfect to be incorporated into salads, soups, spoon dishes, stews, smoothies and as an essential accompaniment(garnish) to many main dishes including rice, meat and fish.
