Peas
A pea is most commonly the small spherical seed or the seed-pod of the legume Pisum sativum. Each pod contains several peas. Although it is botanically a fruit, it is treated as a vegetable in cooking. The name is also used to describe other edible seeds from the Fabaceae such as the pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and the seeds from several species of Lathyrus.
Pea is an annual plant, with a life cycle of one year. It is a green, pod-shaped vegetable, widely grown as a cool season vegetable crop.
In early times, peas were grown mostly for their dry seeds. In modern times, however, peas are usually boiled or steamed, which breaks down the cell walls and makes the taste sweeter and the nutrients more bio-available.
Fresh peas are often eaten boiled and flavored with butter and/or spearmint as a side dish vegetable. Salt and pepper are also commonly added to peas when served. Fresh peas are also used in pot pies, salads and casseroles. Pod peas are used in stir-fried dishes, particularly those in American Chinese cuisine. Dried peas are often made into a soup or simply eaten on their own.
You can find authentic Filipino Peas on many Filipino Restaurants in Los Angeles.
