The humble pea is rich in Vitamin C, proteins, carbohydrates and fibre. Who would have thought the handful of green pebbles with your Sunday roast would be so good for you.
Pea shoots are also incredibly easy to grow. They don’t need much space and only 1 – 2 hours of sunshine per day. All you need to do is sow a tray or two and keep next to your brightest bright window. Within 2 – 3 weeks you can enjoy the distinctive sweetness of pea shoots with your spring salads and garnishes.
You will need:
Dried peas sold for cooking
A container such as a foil takeaway tray, plate or bowl
Kitchen paper, or newspaper or cotton wool.
Water
Step 1: Soak
Soak the peas in water for 24 hours to kickstart the germination process. The seeds will transform from a hard, greyish colour and expand overnight into lively green peas who are ready to grow.
Step 2: Prepare your container
Reusing your old foil takeaway trays to grow pea shoots is a creative way to recycle and reduce waste. We would recommend piercing holes in one tray, then placing it inside another. This means your peas won’t be sitting in water, but you also won’t have a soaking wet windowsill.
If you don’t have any takeaway trays, then a plastic tub, plate or bowl is absolutely fine.
To keep your peas damp, place kitchen paper or newspaper in the bottom of your container and sprinkle it with a little bit of water.
Step 3: Care for your peas
Drain the peas and spread them across the bottom of your container. Change the water regularly and as long as you make sure they don’t dry out, your peas will begin to shoot, both with roots (like bean shoots) and with green stems and leaves.
Step 4: Eat!
In about two to three weeks (a bit longer in cold weather) your crop will have grown 3 – 4 inches tall. Harvest by pinching off each shoot just above the bottom leaves as some may reshoot for you if you’re lucky. The green stem and leaves are delicious for salads and garnishes. Alternatively, transfer your seedling shoots into a little pot with compost and grow it to maturity in your garden!
Tag us in your pea shoot growing adventure and tasty meals!
