The vegan recipe for braised grass peas is easy; for guaranteed results, the cooking must be slow and prolonged. Their flavor and texture will surprise you. Grass peas in tomato sauce have the taste of grandma’s cooking. You can choose to use them as: a single dish, side dish, soup, or purée.
What are GRASS PEAS?
They are an ancient legume from the Marche and Umbria regions, widespread throughout central and southern Italy. There are different varieties: Murgia grass peas, Serra dei Conti (smaller, requiring less soaking and cooking time compared to other types)…
When dried, they resemble small, irregular, light-colored stones. They have a very tasty yet delicate flavor. They are rich in protein and iron. To avoid their debated toxic effect, use them sparingly, soak for a long time and cook slowly and for a long period.
The grass pea is similar to the fava bean, chickpea, and pea.
If you have the hulled grass peas available, try making the salad with dried legumes.
SEASONALITY of #dried grass peas: all year round. Better to consume them within a year, or at most two years from harvest (the longer they are stored, the longer soaking and cooking times they require).
RECIPES with lesser-known legumes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 1 Day
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Braised Grass Peas
- 1 cup Dried Grass Peas
- 3 1/2 cups Water
- 1 sprig Rosemary
- 2 leaves Sage
- 1 Onion (about 5 oz)
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1/2 cup Grass Peas Cooking Water (or as needed)
- 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (about 2 tsp)
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce (or tomato pulp)
- to taste Salt
Tools
- Pot with lid
- Cutting Board
- Knife
COOKING the grass peas
Wash the dried grass peas and soak them for at least 24 hours. Change the water two to three times.
Once soaked, place them in a pot with cold water, the rosemary sprig, and sage leaves. DO NOT add salt. Bring to a boil and continue cooking on low heat for 2 hours or more (cooking times depend on the variety of grass pea).
Once ready, turn off the heat and leave them in their cooking water until use (to prevent them from hardening due to temperature shock).
Prepare the sauce for the legumes
In a saucepan, sauté the finely chopped onion in a drizzle of oil (and/or water). Add salt and optionally a clove of garlic.
Add the cooked grass peas, the tomato sauce, and some of the cooking water. Cook to completion.
Serve the braised grass peas as a side dish or on top of a slice of toasted bread.
ALTERNATIVES and VARIATIONS
Cooking the grass peas in a pressure cooker reduces the time by a third.
Once cooked, the grass peas can be:
° added with vegetables or potatoes to prepare a soup
° blended with some of their cooking water to create a delicious purée
ALSO: grass peas with tomato are exquisite with pasta (or maltagliati) for an amazing sauce.
