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This year we planted snow peas and sugar snap peas.  We started eating the snow peas first to let the peas develop in the pods of the sugar snap peas. Snow peas are meant to be harvested before the pea  develops.  Sugar snap peas can be harvested early like this, pod and immature peas both edible, or harvested after the peas have developed and shelling is required.  They have both been so good.  We’ve been making a lot of stir frys with the snow peas and shelled snap peas.  Peas are a great one for  picking and eating right off the plant. My 2 year old loves to do this! I love that they are tasty and nutritious. Peas are high in fiber and protein. They have a low glycemic index. Peas are a source of omega-3 fats, beta-carotene, B vitamins, vitamins C,E, and K, copper, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, molybdenum, zinc, and choline. Peas are also know to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Another benefit of planting a pea crop  is that it is a nitrogen fixing crop. It  increases the nitrogen garden in the soil.  Hopefully this will give our next crop a boost.  Our pea crop was definitely a hit. It produced a lot of peas that we made a lot of good dishes with. We made fennel frawn peas with green garlic a few times. Yum!  We also had them in salads, pot pies, and soups. We are hoping to get a fall crop of peas planted. We have a few peas in the freezer but I’m sure they will be gone soon!IMG_4048