Some products at the Cambridge Farmers' Market are only available during certain seasons because different crops grow at different times of the year. Below is a list of what's in season each month. Please note these are approximate dates and may vary according to local weather.
Be sure to check out our feature item each month for food tips and recipes.
June Feature: Peas
Peas are such a rewarding vegetable to grow. They are one of the earliest crops to mature in the spring and you can use them in all kinds of dishes. In fact you can eat them right off the vine as a snack in the garden. Since they are legumes they are as good for the soil as they are for people.
What to look for when buying/picking:
Look for firm, glossy pods with a slightly velvety feel that are filled almost to bursting. Chose medium sized pods instead of larger ones. Stems, leaves and tips should be soft and green.
Snow peas should be shiny and flat with the tiny peas barely visible through the pod. Small snow peas are the most tender. Sugar snap peas should be bright green, plump and firm. The pod should tightly encase the peas.
What to Avoid when buying/picking:
Avoid pods that are puffy, dull, yellowed or heavily speckled. Watch for mould. Pods that have dried out are likely to be mealy due to the conversion of sugar to starch. Peas should not rattle in the pod.
Other Facts
Peas are at their height of sweetness right after they are harvested. As soon as the pods are picked from the plants, the sugars in the peas start to transform into starch. To preserve flavour, peas are frozen within 3 hours from the time of harvest.
Only 5% of peas produced in the world are sold fresh. The rest are either canned or frozen.
Peas have recently been hailed as health food. One of the primary reasons for this is the presence of a phytonutrient called coumestrol, which effectively lowers the risk of stomach cancer.
Peas are green because they are harvested when not fully mature. If peas are left to ripen, they turn yellow in color.
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Year Round |
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Learn about the benefits of buying local.