Spring Vegetables - Fiddleheads & Peas

Green peas, pea pods, and fiddleheads are all great spring eatables to enjoy in season as well as having many health benefits.  Below are a few recipes that bring out the best in these vegetables.

Italian Peas

This recipe was posted on allrecipes.com by Worshipwarriormt.  He says "This is my mom's recipe.  Let's just say, you'll never look at peas the same way again .... they are sooo good."  And certainly he's right.  This recipe has a high rating there and I must say I very much enjoy it as well.   On top of that it's super simple which is always a bonus.

Ingredients :

-  2 tablespoons olive oil
-  1 onion, chopped
-  2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 16 ounces of frozen green peas
-  1 tablespoon of chicken stock
-  salt and pepper to taste

Directions :

-  Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Stir in the onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes.
-  Add the frozen peas and stir in the stock.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cover and cook until the peas are tender, about 10 minutes.

tasteofhome.com

Smoked Salmon filled Pea Pods

This tasty appetizer or snack is a great way to make use of two of the most nutritious spring foods.  And it's very easy to put together as well.  I often make these on my basics day and keep them in the fridge for a snack or to feed unexpected guests.  The filling and blanched pea pods  will keep in the fridge for a week.  Fill the peas just before serving.

Ingredients :

-  1/2 pound fresh snow peas
-  1 - 4 ounce package of cream cheese
-  1 - 3 ounce package of smoked salmon
-  garlic salt and pepper to taste

Directions :

-  Top and tail the peas and slit them on one side.  This is easier to do while they are still raw.
-  In a pan with a steamer insert, steam the peas for just 1 or 2 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.  Drain and pat dry.
-  Put the cream cheese and smoked salmon into your food processor and process until just combined.  Season with garlic salt and pepper to taste.
-  Using a teaspoon, put a spoon or two of filling into each pod.
-  Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the filling to set a bit.

Variation :  Fill with salmon mousse from the gelatin post.

Stir fry Fiddle heads
This is another very simple way to enjoy spring produce.  Fiddle heads have a very similar taste to asparagus.

Ingredients :

-  3 to 4 cups of fiddlehead ferns, ends trimmed
-  1 teaspoon of minced garlic
-  2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
-  salt and pepper to taste
-  olive oil for cooking

Directions :

-  In a large pot of water, cook the fiddleheads until just tender then drain.  Usually I prefer steaming all vegetables, but because dirt can sometimes get stuck in the fine fern leaves, boiling them is an extra precaution.  This should only take 5 to 10 minutes.
- In a hot pan heat some olive oil, then stir in the ferns and garlic and salt and pepper to taste.  Quickly sautee until the ferns start to brown.  Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

 "Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates