Field Peas

Name: Field peas (Pisum sativum var. arvense), also called dry peas, grey peas or marrowfat peas — peas grown to full maturity and dried, rather than harvested young like garden peas. They are used for human food and animal feed. Yellow and green split peas have their own pages.

Description

Field peas are grown in cooler regions, especially Canada, Russia, China, France and the United States, and Canada is the biggest exporter. They are a crop of the Near East, among the oldest in agriculture, and have been dried and stored for thousands of years. Field peas are the source of the split peas sold in supermarkets, and of pea protein.

Marrowfat peas are a large field pea, left to mature and dry in the field, and are the peas used for British mushy peas, served with fish and chips. They are soaked with a little baking soda, and simmered until soft.

Main nutrition value

Field peas are an excellent source of plant protein and fibre, and provide folate, iron, magnesium, potassium and manganese, with little fat.

How best to be consumed

Field peas are soaked, then simmered until soft.

1. Soak dried peas in plenty of water for 8 to 12 hours, then drain and rinse, which shortens cooking time and reduces gas.
2. Simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until tender, or longer for a mushy texture.
3. Cook into soups, stews and mushy peas, with mint and butter, for fish and chips.
4. Boil and mash into dips and purees, or sprout them.
5. Use as a base for plant-based protein products, when milled.
6. Rinse canned marrowfat peas.

Overconsumption could cause…

Field peas are healthy in food amounts when cooked.

1. Bloating and gas from the fermentable carbohydrates in legumes, particularly if you are not used to eating them, so build up gradually and drink water.
2. Allergic reactions in a small number of people allergic to legumes.
3. Reduced absorption of iron, zinc and calcium from the phytates in dried pulses, which soaking and thorough cooking reduce.
4. High sodium in canned peas and pulses, so choose no-added-salt cans and rinse them well.

GroupsPeasLegume familyHigh fibreHigh proteinLow fatLow sodiumRich in folateRich in ironRich in magnesiumRich in potassiumRich in zinc

Related foodsBlack-Eyed PeasPigeon PeasSplit Green PeasGreen PeasSnow PeasSugar Snap Peas

Wikipedia — Pea, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pea