I HATE peas. It’s the only veg that I can really say that about.
Plain, I see your point.
But when they’re cooked into a hearty soup, with plenty of ham and potatoes and carrots — not too bad.
Also, I’m very found of Mattar Paneer, which is an Indian curry of peas in a spicy sauce with chunks of tofu-like cheese. Much better than it sounds, if prepared right.
Yeah, this expiration date thing has been more than somewhat oversold. I opened a jar of bruschetta topping the other day that I had been saving for a special occasion. I made short work of it on toasted flat bread. Only after savoring all the Mediterranean goodness did I notice that the jar said “best by July 2014.”
Such happy results notwithstanding, I do occasionally find a bulged can in my overstocked pantry. No way to save any of those.
I grow my own. Fresh harvested and boiled lightly when they’re young they are excellent, like the difference between just picked corn on the cob verses canned.
Also, most varieties canned or sold frozen are bred for their robustness to processing rather than flavor.
The only issue is they are a lot of work to get out of the pods. A brown paper grocery bag worth of pods yields one large bowl of peas. And after you pick them, they’ll still change their sugars into starch, so for best flavor you’ve got to be quick.
I loved peas as a kid. Still think they’re alright. Even liked spinach. Mom said I was her best eater. Carrots are what I hate.