How to Preserve Sugar Snap Peas

Like snow peas, sugar snap peas have edible pods.

Sugar snap peas are similar to snow peas; the pea pods as well as the peas inside them are edible.The low fiber pods are easy to snap and eat along with the small peas inside. They are mainly harvested in the cooler fall months. If you grow them, or have access to a supply of fresh peas through a farmer's market, you may want to preserve their freshness to enjoy year-round. It is simple to do this by preparing and freezing them.

Things You'll Need

• Sugar snap peas
• Water
• Large pot
• Slotted spoon
• Paper towels
• Large pot or sink
• Ice water
• Resealable freezer bags
• Pen

Instructions

Freezing Sugar Snap Peas

1. 

   Sugar snap peas freeze best when freshly picked.

   Prepare the sugar snap peas. Wash them well and remove any discolored pods. Trim each end of the pod and remove any strings that are visible.

2. 

   Use large pots or kettles for blanching the peas.

   Blanch the peas. Blanching involves boiling for a short period of time, then cooling very quickly. Prepare two 5- or 6-qt. pots. Fill one with water and bring the water to a rolling boil on the stove. Fill the second pot with an equal amount of ice water. If you only have one large pot, use the kitchen sink to hold the ice water.

3. 

   Boil the pea pods for no more than two minutes.

   Place one pound of sugar snap peas at a time in the boiling water. Make sure that you keep an eye on the time: do not allow them to boil for more than two minutes.

4. 

   Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pea pods to the ice water.

   Remove the pea pods from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately place them into the ice water. Let them remain in the ice water for about two minutes, or until they are thoroughly cooled.

5. 

   Dry the blanched pea pods on paper towels.

   Remove the pea pods from the ice water, again using a slotted spoon. Place them on layers of paper towel to dry.

6. 

   The pea pods will keep fresh in the freezer for a year.

   Pack the pea pods in 1 qt. resealable freezer bags. Make sure you have labeled the bags with the date you have processed and frozen them. Leave about half an inch of headroom. Make sure you have pressed out as much air as you can from the freezer bags. Press the top sealing layer of the freezer bags to seal thoroughly, and place the bags in the freezer. The peas will keep for up to one year in the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the snap peas are fresh, as fresh peas are best for freezing. Do not leave them in the fridge more than a few days, as the sugar in them will turn to starch very quickly.

• Freezing is the only method for preserving sugar snap peas; do not try to can them, as they will become mushy and inedible.

References

• University of Illinois Extension; Watch Your Garden Grow: Peas
• Farmers Almanac; "Freezing Snow Peas and Sugar Snap Peas"; Deborah S. Tukua; June 2006
• University of Alaska Fairbanks; "Sugar Snap Peas"; Roxie Rogers Dinstel