Seasonal vegetables - sizzling seared scallops with peas

Sweet, vibrant and endlessly versatile, we love peas! Make them the star of the show with our favourite pea recipes; celebrate them raw in salads and dips, or discover how to whip up frozen peas into a variety of delicious dishes, so you can enjoy them all year round.

Peas have such a delicate, sweet flavour, they’re best eaten raw or lightly cooked. Did you know that to defrost frozen peas, you only need to steam or boil them for a couple of minutes? Any longer and you’ll overcook them, meaning they’ll lose their sweetness. 

Whiz raw peas into seasonal soups, toss them through stir-fries, or drop frozen ones straight into curries and stews for the last few minutes of cooking. Eat them straight-up as a side, braise with lettuce for a warm salad, or stir through pasta for an extra veg boost.

For all the hap-pea cooking inspo you need, look no further than our perfect pea recipes. Go on, give peas a chance!

With pops of sweet peas, tangy pecorino cheese and a double carb hit of potatoes and pasta, this simple pasta dish from Jamie’s 5 Ingredients Mediterranean is a hug in a bowl! And as it only takes 30 minutes to go from fridge/freezer to fork, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. 

Flavour friends pea, mint and lemon team up to create a next-level ricotta filling that’s stuffed into courgette flowers, then baked until beautifully golden. If you can’t get your hands on courgette flowers, simply halve some courgettes, then use a teaspoon to scrape out the seedy core, before stuffing and cooking. Delicious.

Mashed potato is already elite-level, but it can still be taken up a notch by spiking it with peas, a little lemon zest and butter. And when it’s sitting on top of a creamy fish pie, it’s off-the-chart delicious. 

Go green with this punchy combination of seasonal veg: garden peas and broad beans with mint. And the best thing is, you can conjure up these beautiful springtime flavours from the freezer at any time of year.

You can’t beat a good pea and ham soup and this one ticks all the boxes! Celebrating budget-friendly frozen peas and spinach, you can get this ready and on the table in just 24 minutes, making it a real midweek winner. Simply ditch the ham if you’re after a vegetarian version. 

Mushy peas are a chip-shop classic, and even better when you make your own at home. Flavoured with mint, then layered in soft baps with crispy golden fish and tangy tartare sauce, it’s the perfect Friday fish supper on-the-go! 

As far as pea recipes go, this one is elite! Sweet peas are a brilliant partner to earthy black pudding and fresh, delicate scallops; then when combined with crispy mint leaves, it all becomes really special. 

 Creamy, fresh and full of flavour, this super-simple dip is perfect for parties. SImply whiz fresh peas with mint leaves, Parmesan and yoghurt, then squeeze over a little lemon juice, to finish – easy-peasy! 

Ready to up your pesto game? Boost your veg intake by pounding frozen peas with fresh basil, creamy pine nuts and Parmesan – you just know that’s gonna be good! Toss through pasta, dollop over steamed fish or spread on toast for a speedy lunch. 

Sweet peas are teamed with prawns, garlic and chilli to create a flavour-packed pasta that’s ready in no time. This recipe really champions those store-cupboard staples and freezer favourites, making it an easy family classic. 

Looking for a fancy fish-and-chip supper? Look no further. Peas are added to mashed potato for a beautiful hit of flavour, while roasted cod and crispy pancetta are a match made in heaven. One all the family with love.

Peas pair so well with leftover roast duck in this super-tasty hash from Jeremy Lee’s bestselling cookbook Cooking. Feel free to add an extra handful of peas into the mix (because, why not?!), or even a few pea shoots, if you have some.

Peas make a brilliant base for big flavours, such as griddled meat, chilli, herbs and salty pecorino cheese. Brought together with fresh zesty lemon, this dish is a thing of joy. Just add a glass of something cold!

After more seasonal inspo? Get stuck into our best-ever broad bean recipes



FAQs

What are peas?

Although we call peas a vegetable, they are technically a fruit because we eat the seeds and seed pods of the plant. You can also eat the flowers and young shoots of pea plants. Peas are sweet and delicious in salads, or scattered over dishes such as risotto and pasta. They are part of the legume family, along with other beans. Although fresh veggies are a real treat and full of goodness, frozen peas are frozen so soon after being picked that all the lovely sweetness and nutrients are locked in, not lost.

When are peas in season?

Peas are in season from May to October, but frozen peas are available all year round and are still full of nutrients.

How to store peas

Fresh peas should be eaten as soon as possible after purchase (or picking!), as they can get starchy very quickly after being harvested. If you can’t eat them straight away, keep them in the freezer.

What are the health benefits of peas

Humble peas are a source of a few different micronutrients, and are especially high in thiamine – a B-vitamin that helps our hearts to function properly, and keeps our nervous system healthy. They're also a good source of vitamin C and fibre. Three heaped tablespoons of fresh, canned or frozen peas counts towards your 5-a-day (one portion of veg or fruit is 80g raw weight).