This week I’m talking about one of the very first signs of the shifting season, Pea Shoots.
Tender, bright and slightly sweet, pea shoots are the young leafy tops of pea plants. They taste like fresh spring peas with a delicate crunch and right now, they’re at their best. While we’re still in the in-between of winter and early spring, these greens bring that much-needed pop of freshness to our plates.
What I love most about pea shoots is how simple they are to use. No complicated prep. No heavy cooking required.
Here are a few easy ways to enjoy them:
- Toss a handful into salads for sweetness and texture
- Layer into sandwiches or wraps instead of lettuce
- Gently fold into warm grain bowls right before serving
- Blend into pesto with lemon and garlic
- Lightly sauté for 30–60 seconds with a squeeze of lemon
They’re delicate, so think of them as a finishing green, something you add at the end to brighten everything up.
Seasonal eating isn’t always about dramatic produce shifts. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s the quiet arrival of tender greens after months of root vegetables and hearty brassicas. Pea shoots feel like that quiet shift.
I started out over 10 years ago watching Forks Over Knives, decided to “try out” the plant-based meal plan and had shockingly incredible results. I’ve never turned back. I have lost nearly 50 pounds, and that is just one side effect that me, my family, friends and clients have experienced after making the change.
Having been an incredible cook my entire adult life, I started my own personal chef service, NuYu Nourish, to extend my help to others. I interned under a celebrity chef, became a celebrity chef myself and have been expanding my reach and goals ever since! My plan follows strictly and simply those of Dr. Mcdougall, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn.
