• Sugar Snaps in the Spring

  Filed under Eatable, George's Notes, Inn Season Cafe, Market Reports, Vegan Food, Videos
  Feb 13

  

  Spring is here in San Diego; the Winter rains have spawned a lush green on canyon hillsides and the mockingbirds are starting their mellifluous Spring rants.  Oranges, tangerines and kumquats are in abundance at the farmer’s markets, while the first sweet organic strawberries are beginning to show themselves in the fields like voluptuous damsels in red dresses.  At the Hillcrest Farmers Market, the Rodriguez Brothers organic booth offers the first sugar snap peas, reminding me of early Spring in Michigan where they were one of the first crops to show up after the thaw.

  

  At my former restaurant, Inn Season Cafe, we would prep crate upon crate of the sweet pods and serve them steamed as a side vegetable, seared for use as an appetizer or added at the last second to a stir fry, so they stayed crisp on the plate.  Today, I am steaming them in a skillet with just enough water to completely steam out within a minute.  As I prepare the peas for steaming, I enjoy the melody of the crisp “snap” as I remove each end of the pods before pulling off the string.  After steaming, I quickly toss them with a few drops of ume plum vinegar just before serving.  Fresh, crisp and full of life, they are one of the Spring’s delights.

  
  2 Comments

2 Responses to “Sugar Snaps in the Spring”

1. Poppy Scott said on May 9th, 2010 at 2:44 am

   I am also a vegetarian and my body has never been in a very good shape. Being a vegan can really make you much heathier.”‘.

2. George said on May 9th, 2010 at 5:07 pm

   Absolutely! My 100% vegan cookbook is now available as with all the recipes on my site. No need for the dairy. Thanks for the comment

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