Peas are easy to cook -- and so good for you. Loaded with potassium, folate, fibre, iron and Vitamins A and C, they even contain some protein. (Regular peas have more protein and fibre, but snow peas have more iron.)

Shell and eat fresh peas in the pod as soon as possible -- after picking, they begin to convert their sugars to starch and so become less sweet and more mealy the longer they sit. Buy about 1 lb (450 mg) unshelled peas for each cup (250 mL) shelled peas called for in the recipes.

Snow peas and sugar snap peas both have edible pods - just trim the ends and cook lightly to keep their bright, crunchy texture. Pea shoots, the tender tips of the plant, are available in Asian grocery stores in season. But peas are sweet and tender in whatever form you eat them.

Lamb with Fresh Peas and Green Onions
Flavours from northern Philippines pair beautifully with young lamb, June peas and garden-fresh green onions and mint. Serve with rice or boiled tiny new potatoes.

Chilled Fresh Pea and Arugula Soup
Fresh seasonal peas and arugula are so tasty that this soup needs no stock or cream -- it's utterly delicious on its own.

Shrimp and Peas
In June we can use wonderful fresh peas for this simple Chinese dish, but frozen peas will do nicely for the rest of the year.

New Potato and Pea Salad
This salad combines two of our best early summer vegetables, potatoes and peas, with seasonal herbs. Serve it warm or at room temperature. If your potatoes are small, leave them whole; halve or quarter larger ones.

Salmon with Pea and Mint Puree
The pea purée acts as a delicate but vibrant sauce for the salmon. This method also works with 1-1/2 pounds (750 grams) trout fillets. Serve with boiled baby new potatoes.

Sweet Pea and Potato Salad
This seasonal salad is also delicious with fresh peas instead of sugar snaps; use 2 to 3 cups/500 to 750 mL shelled peas (about 2-1/2 lb / 1.2 kg unshelled) and cook until tender-crisp, 5 minutes.

Creamed Sugar Snap Peas and Onions
We lightened up creamed onions by switching the cream for milk and adding extra flavour with sweet snap peas.

Snow Pea and Bean Sprout Stir-Fry
Stir-fried snow peas and fresh crunchy bean sprouts cook quickly using very little liquid-the best way to preserve their water-soluble nutrients.

Snow Pea and Potato Salad with Radishes
The peas and radishes may seem like unusual additions, but we guarantee the disparate ingredients combine to make a harmonious, tasty lunch salad. If desired, add 2 thin slices prosciutto per serving.

Pork and Snow Peas
Steamed over vegetables, the pork tenderloin is simply succulent, and this main dish is packed with B vitamins.

Snow Peas with Ham
Just a touch of cured (not smoked) ham makes this a very tasty dish. It's best to buy a 1/4-inch/5 mm thick slice of ham at the deli counter (rather than thinly sliced packaged ham) and cut it into slivers.

Stir-Fried Pea Shoots
A delightful spring vegetable recipe.

Photography, iStockphoto.com.