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It is a genus of annual herbaceous plants of the legume family. The European and African Mediterranean is home to most of its species. Archaeologists claim that people have been using pea seeds since the Stone Age.
Among other vegetables, this legume stands out because it contains a large amount of protein and fiber, it has a beneficial effect on the digestive processes. It can become a good protein source for vegetarians and athletes.
Composition And Caloric Content
The homeland of peas is South-West Asia, where beans have been cultivated and eaten since the Stone Age. There is a classification of peas. Experts divide it into the following types: shelled and sugar.
Peas are a storehouse of trace elements, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Their chemical composition includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins B, A, E, K, H, PP, amino acids, trace elements, which make up almost the complete periodic table in quantity, can fully replace meat products without compromising health. Fruits are rich in iron, vegetable fiber, and starch.
This crop consists of a large number of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The nutritional value of beans is on a level with some varieties of meat, which is an alternative source of nutrition for vegetarians. The high protein content in fruits is close to the level of lentils and beans.
The caloric content of the product is 55 kcal per 100 grams. The cooked product is more caloric – 60 kcal per 100 grams. Dried peas turned out to be the most caloric – 298 kcal per 100 grams of the product. But the traditional canned peas are the least caloric.
Beneficial Properties
The beneficial properties of peas are widely known both in folk and classical medicine. The pods of the plant contain a lot of chlorophyll, which affects the calcium content in the body.
Experts recommend using peas without heat treatment with a lack of vitamin A (retinol). At the same time, it is not advisable to combine the dish with products containing starch, to avoid difficulties with the assimilation of retinol.
Mashed peas are also beneficial for high acidity and stomach ulcers. Modern research by scientists has revealed that you can use peas can as a full-fledged medicine. It contains substances that can slow down oxidative processes.
The use of these fruits significantly slows down the processes of skin aging, counteracts the appearance of cancer, and reduces the probability of heart attack. Peas are good for diabetes due to the content of carbohydrates in them, which consist of fructose and sucrose.
Fresh young peas serve as an excellent diuretic and help to remove acids from the stomach. Peas are valuable for dermatitis and seizures due to the content of pyridoxine, which is involved in the synthesis of amino acids.
The benefit of sprouted pea fruits is that they contain an increased amount of vitamins. Enzymes form rapidly digestible compounds, which allow you to get a positive effect on the body.
What Is The Healthiest Way To Eat Peas?
There are several of the most healthy ways to eat peas. Everyone is used to just cooking peas, but what if you finely chop them and fry them in three tablespoons of water? It will only take you a few minutes.
Minimal contact with water and a short cooking time will help avoid the evaporation of vitamins and macronutrients.
Another way is to make a smoothie with peas. Such a drink will increase the level of protein and fiber, which will help neutralize the effects of sugar in fruits. You can also add fresh peas to a vegetable salad. A good alternative is to use only greens.
Are Peas High In Sugar?
Pea grains contain natural sugars, a lot of dietary fiber, fats, and saturated fatty acids – in small amounts, but most of all carbohydrates, starch, and vegetable protein. Peas belong to the group of high-protein food components that are well suited to the dietary diet.
This beneficial product reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood through various mechanisms.
Is It Safe To Eat Raw Green Peas?
In addition to the valuable properties of peas, there are some contraindications. Improper use of the product can cause harm to the body. Experts do not recommend eating a lot of raw peas. It can provoke a digestive disorder, affect the state of the intestinal and gastric mucosa.
Peas contribute to the formation of gases. This property is mainly characteristic of a raw product. Experts recommend eating dishes containing beans in moderation.
Gas formation is caused by an increased concentration of fiber and sugars. It is not recommended to eat peas often and a lot for nursing women, people of the older age category, and patients with gout.
The product has an increased content of purines that increase uric acid, which causes the development of joint diseases.
What Happens If I Eat Peas Every Day?
Nutritionists recommend not to eat peas every day. An acceptable norm is two times a week for 150 grams. It is best to use peas in combination with other products.
Frequent consumption of peas in large sizes can lead to flatulence. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract may not appear immediately but develop over time.
Also, peas can be harmful to those who have increased blood clotting. Daily use of the product is undesirable for pregnant and lactating women.
Are Uncooked Peas Poisonous?
Raw peas are not poisonous and will not kill you. This legume can cause some problems in the body, but not so serious. The only relatively poisonous element in peas is a purine. It increases the level of uric acid in the body.
Salts of this acid accumulate in the joints, tendons, and kidneys. Joint diseases are a contraindication to the use of peas.
Are Peas Easy To Digest?
Peas, beans, and other legumes contain antinutrients – substances that reduce the body’s ability to absorb the necessary nutrients. You can get rid of most of the antinutrients if you learn how to cook legumes properly. It will turn them into a beneficial and inexpensive source of protein.
Experts have proven that the stomach digests legumes for about an hour. In comparison, the stomach digests meat for more than 8 hours. As a source of protein, peas can completely replace meat, while it is much better digested and absorbed.
Peas As A Side Dish
With canned peas, you can easily prepare chicken soup with cauliflower and cheese. This recipe will be cheap and suitable for those who are on a diet. Such a low-calorie soup is not only tasty but also vitamin-rich.
Processed cheese and cauliflower give it a delicate taste, and peas with filling add their piquant note. Ingredients:
- Chicken fillet – 300 g
- Cauliflower – 250 g
- Water – 1 l
- Canned peas (with filling) – 350 g
- Onion-1-2 pcs.
- Carrots – 1 pc.
- Processed soft “Creamy” cheese – 100 g
- Vegetable seasoning – 1 tbsp.
- Refined sunflower oil – 3 tbsp.
- Parsley greens – 4 sprigs
Step-by-step cooking recipe:
- Cut the fillet into large pieces, fill with cold water. Boil for 30 minutes.
- Cut the cauliflower into small inflorescences.
- Peel the onion and finely chop it.
- Peel the carrots and grate them on a coarse grater.
- Fry the onion in oil for a few minutes.
- Add the carrots to the onion and fry it too.
- Add the chopped cauliflower to the boiling chicken broth, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the canned peas along with the filling and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the fried carrots and onions to the soup.
- Cook the soup for another 3 minutes and remove it from the stove.
- Add the melted cheese to the soup.
- Stir in the cheese and add the herbs as a decoration.
Interesting Things To Do With Peas
An unusual recipe for cooking is pea cutlets. It is a delicious, healthy, and tasty dish. Even a beginner can easily prepare it. Ingredients:
- Dry peas – 200 g
- Carrots – 70 g
- Onion – 1 pc.
- Flour – 2 tbsp
- Oil – 2 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Ground black pepper – to taste
Step-by-step cooking recipe:
- Soak the peas in water overnight. Drain the water and rinse the peas.
- Fill the peas with clean water (500 ml) and cook until soft: 45-55 minutes-if the peas are halves, about 1.5 hours-if the peas are whole.
- Grate the carrots on a grater, and cut the onion into cubes. Fry the vegetables.
- Combine the fried vegetables and boiled peas, whisk with a blender.
- Add salt, pepper, and flour to the resulting puree, mix the minced peas for the cutlets.
- Make minced meat cutlets in a round shape and roll them in flour.
- Put the cutlets in a frying pan and fry on both sides.
Another Unusual Option: Deep-Fried Pea Meatballs
Ingredients:
- Boiled peas – 400 g
- Cheese – 50 g
- Onion – 1 pc.
- Eggs – 1 pcs.
- Breadcrumbs – 2-3 tbsp.
- Ground black pepper – 0.5 tbsp.
- Salt-0.5 teaspoons (optional)
- Flour – 3-4 tbsp.
- Deep-frying oil – 200-300 g
Step-by-step cooking recipe:
- Grate the cheese and cut the onion with herbs.
- Mix the boiled peas with cheese, onion, herbs, breadcrumbs, egg, and ground black pepper.
- Stir and let stand for 10-15 minutes.
- Make round cutlets from the pea mass.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan and put the meatballs there. Fry over medium heat until golden brown for 10 minutes.
- Place the meatballs on a napkin to absorb excess oil.
What To Do With Frozen Peas
There are several ways to freeze green peas. The easiest way is to peel the peas and put them in a bag in the freezer. Experts advise carrying out blanching first – this will make the seeds soft and prevent the appearance of bitterness after defrosting.
It is best to freeze peas without signs of illness. The pods should be a rich green color, not overripe. Mature peas are tasteless and are poorly suited for freezing. It is better to choose pods of medium ripeness, with small elastic grains.
The easiest way is to cook frozen green peas. To do this, you will need a saucepan, water, salt, and sugar. First, you need to bring the water to a boil. Then salt and sugar are added to it.
After boiling, place the green beans in the water and cook them for 5 minutes. Then pour the contents of the pan into a colander and rinse with cold water.
You can also cook frozen peas in the oven. It requires clay pots. Bake the peas with other vegetables in their juice for about 20 minutes. The last option is extinguishing. You will need butter and sour cream. Simmer the peas for just 15 minutes.
How to make frozen peas taste better
You can add frozen beans to dry peas and make pea soup from a mixture of dried and frozen peas. To begin with, fry the onion and garlic. To taste, you can add spices, herbs, or carrots.
Cook all this mixture with dry peas for about 40 minutes. Next, add the frozen product. Cook for 10 minutes, the frozen beans should crunch a little after cooking. You can add meat or ham to this soup.
Closing
Peas are an excellent product from which you can prepare some dishes: soup, cutlets, meatballs, and pancakes. Peas are popular because of their low price and rich vitamin composition. Small balls are also rich in minerals and fiber. Experts say that peas are the best side dish.
This product can replace meat due to its high protein content. The main thing to remember is that it is undesirable to use peas with stomach and intestinal diseases. Even a healthy person should not eat peas every day.
Many farmers grow peas in their gardens. Due to the high preservation of the product, you can freeze it for the winter. A regular package is suitable for the freezing process. You can add frozen peas to soups or make mashed potatoes for future meatballs.