Probably almost everyone remembers this culture from childhood, when he ran to the garden of his grandmother or mother and plucked the still not ripe, but very juicy pods of green peas. Now we often use it as one of the ingredients in Olivier. However, few people know that pea pods are no less tasty and healthy than peas. In this article, you will learn about the beneficial properties of green peas and their use in cooking.

Calorie content and chemical composition

Cod peas belongs to the legume family. It is also called grassy, ​​because growing it is quite simple. This culture is familiar in many countries for more than 1000 years, but the sweet variety, which is now grown by many in their beds, was bred only in the 16th century.

Did you know? In ancient Rome, peas were a staple food for the poor. But in France and England, he was a delicacy and served on the table only to high society.

This product is a valuable source of beneficial vitamins and minerals, as well as other beneficial elements. It is rich in protein, which is well absorbed by the body, and carbohydrates, which beneficially affect the functioning of the body as a whole.

The composition of this plant includes elements such as iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iodine and potassium, as well as vitamins of groups B and C.Peas are also valued as a product that contains lysine. This substance is quite rare in plant foods and helps in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Selenium in the composition of peas helps to cleanse the body, and pyridoxine - the breakdown of amino acids.

Green peas are very popular among vegetarians and nutritionists because of their low calorie content. The table below shows how many calories in this product, what is its nutritional value and what useful elements it contains.

What is the use of chickpeas?

• The chemical and vitamin-mineral composition determine the beneficial properties of green peas:
• It is 2 times more nutritious in nutritional value than potatoes, since the pod and seeds contain a large amount of protein.
• It allows you to maintain muscle tissue tone, and athletes use it to increase muscle mass.
• It is a valuable source of amino acids that the body needs.
• It does not contain sugar, which allows people with diabetes to eat it.
• It has no harmful substances.
• Quickly satisfies hunger.
• In the cold season, you can always feel full of strength.
• It prevents the development of asthma, and with regular use it helps to reduce the number of asthmatic attacks.
• Favorably affects the functioning of the heart muscle.
• It has antiviral and antibacterial properties, helps in the treatment of tuberculosis.
• It has a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
• Vitamin PP, which is available in peas, helps to remove cholesterol plaques from the blood.

Important! Green peas are a fairly heavy product, and if consumed excessively, they can cause discomfort in the stomach.

If the peas are subjected to heat treatment for a minimum period of time, then the protein in it practically does not break down. In addition, this product is recommended for people with genitourinary problems. Regular use of it has a reduced risk of contracting prostatitis, and also increases libido.Capsicum allows you to cope with constipation, and get rid of heartburn will help a few peas, which are enough to chew, and after they turn into crushed gruel, swallow.

Contraindications and harm

Unfortunately, green peas also have negative aspects that cannot be eliminated, and they cannot be neglected either.

• It is not recommended to use:
• During pregnancy, as it can cause increased gas formation, and as a result, the child will feel discomfort.
• With gout, because it contains a large amount of puric acid, which accumulates in the connective tissues and contributes to the deterioration of well-being.
• With exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease or gastritis, as it can cause complications.
• With individual intolerance to this product.

Cooking Application

Green peas as a food product has been popular since time immemorial - for example, in the territory of modern Thailand it has been used as food for 3,000 years. However, the question arises which dishes can be prepared from these legumes.

What can be cooked from chickpeas

This product can be consumed both raw and after heat treatment. Green peas are added to the first and second courses, as well as to salads. Under the influence of high temperatures, the fiber of the pods is destroyed, and this additionally gives them a sweet taste.If you boil the pods, add oil and a little mint to them, then you can use them as a separate dish. It is also used to make various casseroles.

Did you know? The Chinese are in great demand not only pods, but also young pea shoots, which are collected as carefully as tea leaves.

Roasted peas are used in various national dishes in China and Mexico, and in India they are cooked with potatoes and curry sauce.

Young peas are for cooking English dish mashy peas, which is served with meat pie or fried potatoes. In addition, it goes well with pasta, omelet or rice. Delicious aspic and mousse are prepared from the pods.

How much to cook

To preserve all the useful properties of green peas, it must be properly cooked. Most housewives use only the peas themselves in cooking, while throwing out the pods, believing that they are too stiff.

Important! You can cook the pods and steamed. To do this, they are kept above the steam for 60-120 seconds.

However, all the peas have real value, not just the contents of the pods. Young pods must be cooked whole for 40 seconds. You can and a little more - the main thing is that they remain crispy and at the same time soft. After the peas are ready, the water needs to be drained, and the prepared pods should be washed under running cold water.

How to choose upon purchase

Green peas are best grown on their own, but in the modern world, when most people live in big cities, this is hardly possible. That is why you need to know how to choose this product in the store.

The most tender and delicious is a young pod with juicy peas. Therefore, it is worth choosing freshly picked peas that have a rich green color. If you bend the pod and it does not break, then this pea is no longer young.

In stale pods, sugar is converted to starch, and as a result, the taste and composition of the peas change.

Important! Young pods should not have any damage or stains.

Green peas are a useful product that allows you to quickly get enough and at the same time get all the necessary nutrients, which will allow you to maintain health for a long period. However, do not get involved in it, since it also has its contraindications and can harm the body.