Stringless Sugar Snap Peas
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 26.77
This item was last sold on : 05/12/25
Description/Taste
Stringless Sugar Snap peas are generally small in size, averaging 8 to 10 centimeters in length, and are comprised of thick, fleshy pods encasing plump seeds. The pods are bright green, smooth, taut, and firm, with a straight, slightly rounded nature. The ends of each pod are typically pointed, and the pod does not have much give when bent. If the pods are opened, a line of 6 to 8 round to oval green seeds are revealed and are attached by short stems. Stringless Sugar Snap peas do not have the characteristic fibrous string that extends the pod’s length like other Sugar Snap varieties. The pods and seeds are edible raw and have a crisp, crunchy, aqueous, snappy, tender, and succulent consistency. Stringless Sugar Snap peas have a refreshing, sweet, green, and grassy taste with subtle nutty nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Stringless Sugar Snap peas are in season during the spring and summer. Some varieties are also grown in the fall through winter in mild, cool regions.
Current Facts
Stringless Sugar Snap peas, botanically classified as Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon, are a hybrid variety belonging to the Fabaceae family. Sugar Snap peas were developed in the late 20th century from a cross between garden peas and snow peas, and stringless varieties were released in markets several years after. Stringless Sugar Snap peas were created for improved convenience in culinary preparations. Early versions of Sugar Snap peas had a fibrous string that would extend the length of the pod. This string had to be separated from the pod before cooking and was considered tedious to remove. Stringless Sugar Snap peas were created to meet market demand, and new varieties were bred to grow in compact bush forms in addition to the standard climbing vines. Stringless Sugar Snap peas are some of the most popular commercial peas found fresh in markets worldwide. The fleshy, thicker pods are easy to chew and have a firm, crisp consistency, especially when broken in half, earning their snappy moniker. Sugar Snap peas are also known for their natural sweetness and fresh, green nuances. In commercial markets, there are several varieties of Sugar Snap peas, and these types are sold fresh for use in raw and cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Stringless Sugar Snap peas are a source of fiber to regulate the digestive tract and minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, and calcium. Potassium helps the body replenish electrolytes and balances fluid levels. Iron develops the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, copper aids the body in energy production, magnesium controls nerve functions, and calcium supports bones and teeth. Sugar Snap peas also provide vitamins A, B, C, E, and K to strengthen the immune system, maintain healthy organs, protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals, and promote faster wound healing. Other nutrients include manganese, zinc, phosphorus, and folate.
Applications
Stringless Sugar Snap peas have a fresh, sweet, and green taste suited for raw and cooked preparations. The pods are entirely edible and can be eaten out of hand after washing. Stringless Sugar Snap peas are eaten on crudité platters and are often served with creamy dips and cheeses. The pods can also be roughly chopped and tossed into salads, mixed into grain bowls, or combined with fresh herbs as a garnish over savory dishes. Try slicing and adding Stringless Sugar Snap peas to fresh spring rolls or rice and noodle dishes. They can also be mixed into various slaws. In addition to fresh preparations, Stringless Sugar Snap peas retain their coloring and crunch after cooking. The pods can be sauteed, stir-fried, blanched, or steamed and are incorporated into vegetable medleys. Stringless Sugar Snap peas are also stirred into pasta dishes, simmered into soups, curries, and stews, or cooked as a light side dish to roasted meat. While less common, Stringless Sugar Snap pea pods can be grilled for a savory twist. They can also be pickled for extended use as a tangy addition to salads and sandwiches. Stringless Sugar Snap peas pair well with herbs such as mint, thyme, rosemary, and dill, asparagus, radishes, corn, mushrooms, scallions, and meats, including beef, pork, and poultry. Whole, unwashed pods will keep for 1 to 2 weeks when placed in a bag in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Stringless Sugar Snap peas can also be blanched and frozen for longer storage.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Dr. Calvin Lamborn is famous for his Sugar Snap pea varieties. The researcher, scientist, plant breeder, and pea advocate wore many hats throughout his career but always loved breeding. Dr. Lamborn developed Sugar Snap peas in the late 20th century and continued breeding new varieties until his passing in 2017. During his research, Dr. Lamborn experimented with various crossings and used tweezers in the field to hand-pollinate plants. He eventually created colorful Sugar Snap pea cultivars that showcased pink, yellow, and purple hues. These varieties were sold through his company, Magic Valley Seeds, based in Twin Falls, Idaho, and for many years, the colorful peas were only supplied to select high-end restaurants through the company’s partnership with Sweet Berry Farms in upstate New York. In 2015, Magic Valley Seeds expanded its partnerships and began selling select seeds to the French Laundry’s culinary gardener, Aaron Keefer, and a few other growers along the West Coast. Beyond his colorful Sugar Snap pea varieties, Dr. Lamborn was awarded All-American Selections, a prestigious recognition in agriculture, for Sugar Snap peas in 1979 and Sugar Ann in 1984, the most popular type of Stringless Sugar Snap pea grown commercially in the modern day.
Geography/History
Sugar Snap peas were created in the late 20th century in the United States and are descendants of heirloom varieties of Pisum sativum. Early versions of sweet snap varieties with edible pods have appeared throughout history, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but many of these varieties have since disappeared and were lost commercially by the late 20th century. The Sugar Snap peas seen in commercial markets in the present day were created in the 1950s and '60s when plant breeder Dr. Calvin Lamborn and Dr. Mel C. Parker worked together to develop a new type of snow pea in the United States. The two scientists were a part of the Gallatin Valley Seed Co. in Idaho and were breeding a snow pea with a straighter pod. One day, Dr. Parker showed Dr. Lamborn a rare, tight-podded type of garden pea that he had found approximately seventeen years earlier. Dr. Lamborn noticed that the pods were thicker in this variety but inedible and used them to cross with a snow pea in 1969, hoping to create a thicker-walled, edible snow pea. After the initial cross, Dr. Lamborn discovered that he had created a new type of pea. He selectively bred and evaluated the new pea for over ten years before officially releasing it to the public in 1979. The variety was called Sugar Snap pea and was distinct for its edible pod, sweet taste, and crunchy texture. Dr. Lamborn later went on to create Stringless Sugar Snap peas, and it is said he performed over one hundred crosses to create the stringless type. Today, Stringless Sugar Snap peas have expanded in cultivation to growing regions globally. They are a popular cultivar for commercial and home production. When in season, Stringless Sugar Snap peas are sold fresh through farmer’s markets, select retailers, and distributors worldwide.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Nick & G's Restaurant | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-771-1871 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Mia's | Carlsbad CA | 909-521-8239 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Extraordinary Desserts | San Diego CA | 619-294-2132 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Smoking Gun | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Jujus Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-471-5342 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| Cardellino | San Diego CA | 619-722-3398 |
| Cellar Hand | San Diego CA | 334-689-2388 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Communion | San Diego CA | 619-606-5568 |
| Local Tap House & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-547-1469 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| LAMB | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-204-3464 |
| Michele Coulon Dessertier | San Diego CA | 858-456-5098 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Bica | San Diego CA | 619-669-5725 |
| Carbon | San Diego CA | 702-423-3807 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Kaiserhof | San Diego CA | 619-224-0606 |
| Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant 2024 | Oceanside CA | 760-279-6300 |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Chula Vista CA | 619-409-5900 |
| Donation 3 | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Dot to Dot Academy | San Diego CA | 858-485-1978 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Seasoned Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 619-246-4909 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Peace Pies (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 619-618-6960 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| Pacific Terrace Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-581-3500 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Merenda | Oceanside CA | 703-459-4145 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Dot Cafe | San Diego CA | 914-263-1424 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Chef Lance Roll | Vista CA | 760-685-2433 |
| Farm Fresh Meals | Vista CA | 760-707-2383 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Solterra Winery + Kitchen | Encinitas CA | 858-245-6146 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| The Beau Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-310-5160 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Choi's | San Diego CA | 858-900-1224 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| 333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Coral Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-449-6679 |
| Waverly (Bar) | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
| Jeune Et Jolie (SOMM) | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Cucina Urbana (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-232-7808 |
| Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
| Sets Kitchen and Bar | San Marcos CA | 970-390-2148 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| The Bower | Coronado CA | 619-606-8424 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Venissimo Cheese Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-847-9616 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Moment Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-230-6268 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Stringless Sugar Snap Peas. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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