sweet pea, (Lathyrus odoratus), annual plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), widely cultivated for its beautiful, fragrant flowers. Hundreds of varieties of sweet pea have been developed and are grown as garden ornamentals or are grown commercially for the floral industry.
How do you eat a sweet pea?
Sweet peas are delicious freshly picked and raw. Try them with a little dip or plain. There’s no need to remove the pod- it’s edible too! Sweet peas are also delicious steamed, boiled, or sautéed.
Can you eat sweet pea flower?
Only vegetable pea flowers can be eaten, not sweet pea flowers which are toxic. The petals can be added to salads, or cooked slightly and sweetened for a treat.
Are sweet pea leaves good for you?
Pea tendrils are an excellent source of vitamin A. 100 g fresh leaves contain 1133 IU of vitamin A and 4100 µg of β-carotene. Carotenes convert into vitamin-A in humans. Studies found that vitamin A and flavonoid compounds in green leafy vegetables help humans protected from skin, lung, and oral cavity cancers.
What part of the sweet pea plant is edible?
3. Almost every part of the pea plant is edible. Of course we know the peas themselves are delicious, but in many varieties such as snow peas and sugar snap peas, the pods are also edible. An often overlooked but delicious part of the pea plant is the pea shoot.
When should I harvest my sweet peas?
Seed can be collected in early September. Leave the seed pods on the plants until they have turned a paper bag colour. Collect them on a dry day, remove them from their pods and store in paper bags in a dry place until you a ready to sow them.
Can dogs eat sweet peas?
You can feed your dog fresh, frozen, or thawed peas, but do not give your dog canned peas. Like many canned vegetables, canned peas typically have a lot of added sodium, which is harmful to dogs (and humans). As far as pea pods go, as a rule of thumb, if humans can eat the pod, so can your dog.
Is sweet pea poisonous to dogs?
Any of these plants can be considered toxic to your dog, cat, or other small animals. Although they sound like they should be edible, sweet pea plants are not food. As a matter of fact, they contain the toxic chemical called aminoproprionitrile, which causes musculoskeletal and central nervous system problems.
Is sweet peas good for diabetes?
Diabetes Control
Peas comprise carbs, however, may still be a part of a healthy diabetes plan. The protein and fiber content of peas helps in delaying the digestion process. This, in turn, aids in stabilizing the levels of blood sugars post-eating. Moreover, peas rank low on the GI scale.
Are sweet peas good for weight loss?
Sweet Peas and Weight Loss
Dieters tend to avoid eating sweet peas because of the assumption that they might have too much sugar and carbohydrates. However, sweet peas only contain 50-60 calories per ½ cup. You can add them to your weight loss meal plan to curb sugar cravings without raising your blood sugar.
Are sweet peas hard to digest?
Peas Are High in Fiber
All that fiber is beneficial: It supports your digestive health and help you stay fuller longer. But if you’re not used to eating high-fiber foods, a big helping of peas might leave you bloated, gassy, crampy or even constipated.
What happens if you eat wild sweet pea?
The seeds of sweet peas are mildly poisonous, containing lathyrogens that, if ingested, in large quantities can cause a condition called Lathyrus. Symptoms of Lathyrus are paralysis, labored breathing, and convulsions.
What do you do with pea pods?
Just like the peas inside, the pea pods contain spring’s flavors (and spring’s nutrients, too). With just a few extra steps, you can turn those pea pods into a gorgeous green puree to use in sauces and pasta dishes—or even as part of a cocktail!
Do sweet peas grow back every year?
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) only live for a year, dying after setting seed. But don’t let this put you off as they are super easy to grow from seed. Perennial species such as Lathyrus latifolius come back year after year, but mostly lack fragrance and there are fewer to choose from.
Are sweet pea pods edible?
Sweet peas will keep flowering if you pick the flowers regularly – a good excuse to have some beautiful flowers in your home. Remember- sweet pea seed pods look similar to edible pea pods but they are poisonous and must not be eaten.
How long do sweet pea plants last?
one year
Sweet peas are a summer flowering annual. This means that they germinate, grow, flower, set seed and die all in one year and have to be re-grown each year.
What does sweet pea attract?
bees
Companions Sweet peas attract bees and butterflies into the garden. Like other pea family members, they fix nitrogen into the soil and so they benefit a wide range of vegetables such as brassicas, leafy greens like silverbeet and spinach and salads.
Do you cut sweet peas down after flowering?
Cut sweet pea flowers right after they open completely, or when they have at least two unopened flowers at the very tip, recommends Floret Flowers. The best time of day to cut is early in the morning, before sun and wind have a chance to dry the flowers, or late in the evening after they are rehydrated.
Can you dry sweet pea flowers?
You can dry a wide variety of fresh flowers using this Borax method, such as roses, pansies, violets, chrysanthemums, zinnias, marigolds, daisies and sweet peas. It’s best to pick the flowers at the peak of their bloom.
Can dogs eat bananas?
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They’re high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog’s main diet.
Can dogs eat eggs?
Believe it or not, dogs can eat eggs! Eggs are high in protein and contain many essential fatty acids and essential amino acids. This makes them a yummy — and healthy — snack when cooked or boiled.