It is winter – the time for harvesting flavourful, colourful, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. When it comes to winter vegetables, green peas are popularly enjoyed around the world. These green pods are packed with antioxidants, a great source of various vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. Whether enjoyed fresh during the harvest season or preserved through freezing, green peas have earned their place as a beloved and versatile ingredient in culinary traditions globally.
Let us see how we can preserve green peas at home for a longer time to enjoy them almost throughout the year!
Ananya Chowdhury, software engineer, gardener, and anthophilous, Pune shared the following
*First of all, separate the peas from their pods and discard any discoloured or damaged peas.
*The next step is blanching. Blanch those peas in boiling water for 1-2 minutes using a blanching basket or a strainer. After that immediately transfer them to an ice-water bath. “This process not only helps to maintain its vibrant green colour but also keeps intact its maximum nutritional value. Blanching is very important to inactivate enzymes and reduces the microbial load on the peas, minimising the potential for bacterial or microbial growth during storage,” said Chowdhury.
*Once the cooling process is done, dry them using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
*Now these peas can be stored in air-tight zip-lock containers, freezer-safe containers, or heavy-duty freezer bags. It is recommended to portion the peas into individual meal-sized quantities before packaging to prevent any unused peas from being exposed to air.
*Label them according to the packaging date, which will help later to identify the freshness of those peas.
*Finally, it can be placed into the freezer and consumed for the next 8-12 months.
Chef Neha Deepak Shah shared a step-by-step guide.
*Boil 3 to 4 Litres water in a saucepan and once it is bubbling HOT, add 1 tbsp salt, 2tsp sugar and 1 pinch of Baking Soda (Soda is optional but the colour will stay brighter for long)
*Only once the water is bubbling hot, add the green peas and cook for just 2 minutes.
*Immediately transfer this into ice-cold water. “We don’t want to cook the green peas, this will prevent any wrinkles on top of the skin which doesn’t look nice,” shared Shah.
*Drying is very important. This will ensure that your green peas do not clump together and stay separate when frozen.
Baking soda only changes the water to a slightly alkaline pH and that enhances the green colour making it more stable. I highly recommend it, added Shah.
By following these steps, you enhance the chances of retaining the bright green colour of peas when stored in the freezer for an entire year. Always use high-quality, fresh peas for the best results, said clinical nutritionist Garima Goyal.
Blanching peas offers several benefits –
Colour retention – Blanching helps preserve the vibrant green colour of peas by deactivating enzymes responsible for colour loss. This maintains their visual appeal, Goyal said.
Texture preservation – The blanching process stops the activity of enzymes that can cause the breakdown of cell walls, helping to maintain the peas’ crisp texture.
Nutrient retention – While some nutrients may be lost during blanching, it is minimal compared to other cooking methods. Blanching helps retain a significant portion of the peas’ nutritional value.
Inactivation of enzymes – Blanching inactivates enzymes that can contribute to flavour changes, preserving the natural taste of the peas.
Cleaning and removal of surface contaminants – Blanching also serves to clean peas and remove any surface contaminants or bacteria, enhancing their overall safety.
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First uploaded on: 30-12-2023 at 14:27 IST
