Sugar snap peas: these crisp, green pods aren't just for stir-fries anymore

What's not to love about a veggie that requires no shelling, seeding, peeling or chopping, takes two minutes to cook and is chock-full of vitamins, iron and protein? Sugar snap peas are just that. No wonder these flavor-packed pods are showing up in more and more fancy restaurant fare and on family dinner tables.

The darling of spring farmers' markets, sugar snap peas are readily available, even at wholesale shopping warehouses. Best of all, the common variety is "stringless," meaning there's no thin thread to pull off the pods before cooking.

There's only one cooking rule you need to know about sugar snap peas: Keep it short to keep 'em sweet. Two to four minutes of sauteing or steaming is all it takes to bring out their subtle flavor. While cooking them whole is the obvious choice, sugar snap peas can also be shelled and pureed for soup, julienned to go in a pasta dish, or split and stuffed for a tasty hors d'oeuvre. We've even chopped them in a food processor to make a savory springtime tart.

Nutritional Profile

1 cup equals 75 calories Total fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 143 mg, Carbohydrates 15 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Sugars 7.5 g and Protein 4.5 g Peas are also a good source of folic acid, potassium, calcium and Vitamin A.

Health facts from www.CalorieKing.com