OK, how to shell: rinse, pinch the stem off with your fingernails and pull the string down the length of the pod. The pod will pop open and the peas can be pushed out of the pod with your thumb. For lazy people (believe me I’m not judging) the Farmers Markets often offer bags already shelled. But, don’t worry it really doesn’t take long to shell a batch.

You should know: use your shelled peas right away or wait to shell your peas right before you are going to use them. Once shelled they rapidly begin to lose their sweetness and become starchy.

Also, buy lots of peas! You will need about 1lb of peas in the shell to create 1 cup of shelled peas.

There are lots of simple ways to use these cute little guys pretty much just the way they are. Add variety to a summer salad by tossing in just-boiled peas or for a flavorful, light side dish, sauté’ shelled peas in olive oil with torn mint leaves. But, my favorite recipe is fresh English Garden Pea Soup. It’s refreshing and delicious. Not to mention that a bowl of this adds the most beautiful vivid green color to your table!

Fresh English Pea Soup w/ Basil Pesto

1/2 onion, peeled and chopped
1 medium leek, white and light green parts, cleaned and chopped
1 medium yukon gold potato, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable stock or water
1 cup basil leaves, packed
1 clove garlic, minced
2-3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in medium sized pot.  Add the chopped onion and leek with teaspoon of salt, sautee until translucent.  Add the wine and cook until almost dry.  Add the potatoes and the stock.  Raise heat and bring to a simmer.  Lower heat and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are almost falling apart. Add the peas and cook another 5-10 minutes.  Remove from the heat and puree in a blender, or use an immersion blender, being careful not to fill above the hot foods line on the canister, until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the basil pesto (see below)

Basil Pesto:

Chop the basil with the garlic, olive oil, lemon peel and a pinch of salt in a food processor  until fairly smooth.  Alternatively, chop by hand or use a morter and pestle to make pesto, adding the oil at the end.

Both summer and winter squash are great “go to” vegetables as there are so many varieties. Every part of the plant can be eaten over the course of the growing season from young leaves, tender shoots and, of course, the squash blossom to the baby squash and mature fruit. The terms “summer” and “winter” are misleading as they really apply to how long you can store, not availability… winter squashes keep longer in storage, thus are more a cold weather food. There are many varieties of winter squash to be found. We all know the pumpkin and the various expressions it can take in October and then again as pie in November, but this would be the blandest of the eatable gourds. A couple of very common and tastier winter squash would be the acorn and the butternut. Lately a few other interesting ones have been popping up in the produce section of many stores. If you are lucky enough to have a farmers market or grocer who carries some more obscure varieties, I highly recommend sampling. Check out whatscookingamerica.net/squash for descriptions of some wonderful winter squashes. Some of my favorite ways to cook this colorful addition to the winter food palate are roasted with maple and herbs, pureed into a warming soup or stuffed with rice, nuts and some cheese. A new favorite is this rich gratin with parmesan and swiss chard….

Butternut Squash Gratin w/ Swiss Chard and Parmesan

1 large Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and sliced 1/4 inch slices
1 large bunch Swiss Chard, washed and roughly chopped
1 clove Garlic, minced
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground Pepper
1/8 cup All Purpose Flour
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
optional: 2 teaspoons fresh herbs such as Thyme or Rosemary

Heat oven to 375 degrees

In a large bowl, toss squash w/ flour, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the optional herbs to coat.  Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a sautee pan, over mediun-high heat, and add the swiss chard.  Sautee until wilted and add the minced garlic.  Sautee 1 minute and set aside.

Oil the bottom of a 9×13 pyrex or stoneware baking dish with the remaining oil.  Spread chard over bottom of the dish.  Layer the squash on top, over lapping to make nice presentation.  Pour cream over the vegetables, cover with foil and bake until bubbly.  Remove from oven, uncover and top with parmesan.  Return to the oven to brown the top.  Serve.

Variation: If you do not want to use the cream, Chicken or Vegetable Stock make a lighter but still yummy Gratin!