Peas
Tulare County Office of Education
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 peas
Sugar-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.
Test Your Knowledge
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
Tasting Trio
Pea 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
You all
are
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•California Department of Public Healthealth