Peas and pears baby food

Easy Cardamom Pear Peas Meal baby constipation |Buona Pappa

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Today’s recipe has tons of healthy benefits thanks to the particular combination of ingredients. It’s a lovely baby friendly meal that can be served both in the puree’ form or in small pieces starting from 6 months of age.

I wanted to share with you a baby recipe using cardamom, an amazing spice typically used in the Indian cuisine and that you can also find in the medical cabinet thanks to its medical properties.

Before turning the heat on, let’s talk a bit about this little pod that contains tiny black round shaped seeds: cardamom.

WHY ADDING CARDAMOM? BENEFITS FOR BABIES

Cardamom is commonly used in Indian recipes, both for adults and kids. It comes in 1 inch long pods that contain more or less a dozen of small round seeds. The seeds can be grounded and added into recipes or the full pod can be added to the recipe and removed later for a milder flavor.

If you never tried Cardamom, it’s similar to cinnamon, rich and aromatic. It’s great both for sweet and savory recipes, like cinnamon.

It’s safe for babies, starting from 6 months of age, with moderation. It’s recommended not only for the taste but also for the medical properties for what it is well known.

Cardamom helps with digestion, nausea and upset tummies, has great antioxidant properties, antibacterial properties for the teeth and gums health and also has expectorant properties helping thinning mucous. A long impressive list, I know.

There are different kind of cardamom, the one usually used in recipes is the green one. There is also another variety, the black cardamom. It has a different taste, bolder. For baby and toddler recipes I use the green one only.

HEALTHY BENEFITS OF THIS COMBO

Today I added cardamon to a baby friendly combo: pear and sweet peas. I like to add spices and herbs to my baby food recipes for many reasons. They can boost up the flavor of the recipe transforming a bland baby food into something special. They extend the baby/toddler’s palate in terms of flavors. They can have healthy properties, like with the cardamon, that only add to the benefits of the recipe.

Each of the three ingredients has a specific benefit.

Pear = helps with constipation

Cardamom = helps with digestion + oral care + expectorant properties

Sweet peas = source of protein

Now that you know a bit more about cardamom and the other ingredients, let’s cook!

HOW TO MAKE CARDAMOM PEAR AND SWEET PEAS BABY MEAL

Let’s start with peeling, coring and chopping the pear in pieces.

Take one cardamon pod and open it using your fingers. Remove the seeds from inside and discard the pod. To ground the seeds you can use a meat mallet or meat tenderizer or even the bottom of a glass and simply press the seeds agains a flat surface in a circular movement. The room will be filled by a wonderful aroma and you will obtain more or less 1/2 tsp grounded cardamom.

In a steamer add all the pear, sweet peas and sprinkle the cardamom on top, cover and steam for 8 min up until the pear will be soft enough to be mashed with your fingers.

If you are following the baby led weaning method, remove from the steamer and transfer in a baby bowl, mix gently and serve to your little one in bite size pieces.

If you offer purees to your little one, transfer everything in a tall container and blend into a smooth puree using an immersion blender. The pear should have enough liquids to puree nicely. For a more liquid texture you can thin the puree’ adding few tablespoons of:

The boiling water left in the steamer
Baby formula
Surplus Breastmilk

WHICH OTHER FRUIT CAN I PAIR WITH CARDAMOM AND PEAS?

Pears are not in season? You can switch with apricots, peaches, mango, banana, apples.

WHICH KIND OF PEAR TO USE?

There are so many varieties. I like D’Anjou, Bartlett, Comice, Concorde as they are the sweetest. One suggestions. In order to enjoy them, wait when they are a bit soft and with brown dots here and there; that’s when they are at the peak of their sweetness.

WHAT CAN I ADD TO THIN MY PUREE?

Your baby might like a more liquid texture so you might want to add a bit more liquid to the puree. You have many choices you can choose from: warm water is the easiest, but also breastmilk (to be added at the end and only in the needed quantity not to waste it), or formula milk if you have some extra ready.

If you want to learn more about thinning your baby food, aka making it more liquid, you might be interested in this video too.

How to thin your baby food

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS?

Store any leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months.

If you have any puree’ leftover you might want to transform them in a baby popsicle. Refreshing in the summer and a nice relief for gums or tooth discomfort. Simply pour any leftover in a popsicle mold and freeze it!

MORE RECIPES TO HELP WITH BABY CONSTIPATION

What foods will help your baby poop? Baby Constipation.
Oatmeal with Pear Prunes Apricots and Ginger – baby constipation +6M
Peach Cardamom Oatmeal +6M GF
Avocado & Sweet Potato & Spinach Baby Puree’ – Powerful First Food Recipe +6M
Asparagus Almond Pear Baby Puree +9M
Quinoa Kiwi Pear Carrot Baby Puree +6M
Avocado Squash Persimmon Pear Beet Baby Puree +6M
Sweet Potato Pear Puree +6M
Homemade Fruit Juice: Peach +6M
Red lentils puree
Lentil soup with pasta (+10 months)

If you are interested in the bowls and utensils featured in my video/images, you can find them in my BuonaPappa Amazon Store.

1 medium D'Anjou pear
1/2 cup sweet peas, frozen or fresh
1 pod green cardamom (1/2 tsp grounded cardamom)

Peel, core and chop the pear.
Open the cardamom pod, remove the seeds and ground them.
In a steamer add the pear, sweet peas and sprinkle the cardamom on top. Cover and steam for 8 min up until the pear will be soft enough to be mashed with your fingers.
If you are following the baby led weaning method. Transfer everything in a baby bowl, gently mix and serve warm.
If you serve purees to your baby. Transfer everything in a tall container and puree into a smooth texture with an immersion blender. For a more liquid texture you can thin the puree’ adding the boiling water left in the steamer or baby formula or breastmilk.

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About Barbara Lamperti

In Italian BuonaPappa means “enjoy your baby food”. I thought that if I had issues cooking for my baby for the first time, well, maybe I was not the only mom in this situation. Why not start sharing what I learned with other moms and dads all around the world? That's how BuonaPappa.net was born, THANK YOU for following! I feel honored and humbled daily that you would stop by and view my recipes. Grazie mille!

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December 23, 2018//in 10-12 months, 12-18 months, 18 months+, 7-9 months, Homemade Baby Food Recipes | BÉABA USA pear, peas, spinach Main, Main Dish, Side, Snack Fruits, Vegetarian, Veggies 0 stars /by Beaba

Our triple threat purée for baby.

Reciped adapted for Babycook from Homemade BabyFoodRecipes.com.

Course Main, Main Dish, Side, Snack
Cuisine Fruits, Vegetarian, Veggies

Our triple threat purée for baby. Reciped adapted for Babycook from Homemade BabyFoodRecipes.com.

Ingredients

1 cup spinach sliced and packed
1 cup pear cubed
1/2 cup peas fresh or frozen

Instructions

Put the spinach, pear and peas in the steamer basket.
Pour water into the tank (level 3).
Start the cooking process.
When the spinach, pear and peas are cooked, put them in the blending bowl, reserving the cooking liquid.
Add some of the cooking liquid to bring the purée to the desired consistency and blend.

Recipe Notes

As always, please check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby.

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Pears in baby food - Encyclopedia Baby food

Viktoria Levchuk©

Very often, the first fruit food is a green apple, but the next fruit is traditionally a pear. Pears in baby food pair well with apples, as they are smooth in texture, easy to digest, and rarely cause allergies. They are rich in fiber and vitamin C, and are great for relieving constipation. Pears in baby food are a versatile fruit that can be combined with many other ingredients to make a delicious baby puree.

What are pears?

Contents:

Pears are soft sweet fruits with a fibrous center. They are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and fiber. This autumn fruit is ideal for baby food.

There are about 4000 registered varieties of pears, most of them strictly ornamental, leaving only 30 or more species that are edible. This fruit is from the Rosacea family, which includes many other fruits (some quite unlike pears) such as cherries, raspberries and even almonds. Edible pears come in two main varieties: Asian and European. The Asian varieties are usually firm and juicy, while the European type is usually soft and juicy when ripe. Pears come in a variety of colors including many different shades of green, red, yellow/gold and brown. Many cultivars do not change color as they mature, making it difficult to determine ripeness.

History of pears

The birthplace of the pear has not been precisely established. Someone believes that it grew between the Black and Caspian Seas. The cultivated pear species came to us from ancient Greece. Until the 16th century, only a wild pear variety was known, which first had to be boiled in order to be eaten, since such a pear was poorly digested when fresh. Later, edible pears appeared in Italy and France, which could be consumed raw.

Benefits of pears in baby food

Pears are delicious fruits, but they are also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. These essential nutrients are vital for a healthy heart, immune system and baby's digestive tract! Many practicing pediatricians even recommend pears as the first fruits of complementary foods, as they are easily digested in the digestive tract.

Pear skin contains three to four times more antioxidants than flesh and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties! The peel of the fruit is thin and has a good taste, and also contains more than half of the dietary fiber.

Pear is excellent for reducing the risk of cancer and heart attack and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. The fruit is suitable for relieving constipation in babies.

Pears do not contain sodium, saturated fat or cholesterol. They contain two types of sugar: glucose and fructose. The pear is very nutrient-dense, meaning there are more nutrients per calorie content than there are calories per nutrient. It is not necessary to peel the pear if the pear is introduced into the baby's diet after 7 months. The peel of a pear is easily digestible.

Pear contains minerals and vitamins:

Vitamin C - strengthens blood vessels and helps the rapid healing of wounds and scratches.

Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting and bone health.

Vitamin B1 - essential for the development of the child's brain and helps the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles and heart.

Vitamin B2 is important for baby's muscle and bone health and helps promote growth and good vision.

Copper - helps form collagen, which is essential for healthy bones and connective tissue.

Potassium - Works with sodium to help control body water balance and help maintain healthy blood pressure.

Calcium - Needed to build strong bones and teeth and to convert food into energy.

Magnesium - This mineral is essential for maintaining a steady heart rate and strong bones.

Pears in baby food appear immediately after the green apple. Usually, the age at which pears are introduced into complementary foods is 7 months. At first, the child is offered mashed pear, which was previously steamed, in the oven or in a saucepan.

Pears can be steamed until the baby is 8 months old to make the fruit easier to digest and to get the baby used to the new food. After 8 months, peeled, raw pears can be offered and cut into small pieces as finger food if the child is ready to eat it. If the child does not like ordinary pear puree, it can be mixed with cereals or combined with other fruits such as apple, bananas, peaches, etc. With a peel, the fruit is best offered closer to the baby's year of life.

Pear puree should be introduced gradually into the baby's diet, starting with ½ tsp. up to 70 grams, if the child is 7 months old, 80 grams for 8 months, in more detail we look at the table of the volume of food consumed by months. Although there is an opinion among mothers that it is better to give pear puree up to a year in an amount of no more than 40-50 grams - the daily norm, it is up to parents to decide, we look at the well-being of the baby.

You can give pear puree 2-3 times a week, we look at the child's well-being, and his stool, if everything is fine, then alternate the pear with an apple and other fruits.

After 12 months, the baby can be offered no more than 1-2 pears (no more than 200 grams) per day.

pears complementary food

Allergy to pears

Practicing pediatricians are delighted with pears, as they have a low potential for an allergic reaction on the part of the baby. Since pears are more digestible than other fruits and seem to have a reduced allergic response, it's easy to see why they are a great choice for a 7 month old baby as a first or second fruit. However, we still monitor the baby’s reaction to a new product, observe the standby mode when introducing a pear into the baby’s complementary foods.

If a child is prone to allergies, then the pear should be given only in a baked form, since heat treatment removes the allergenicity of the product.

How to choose and store pears for baby food

Today, pears are available all year round, which is certainly good, but not suitable for complementary foods. Since the baby is best introduced to local varieties of pears, in their season, which starts from the end of July and ends in November. It is better not to give overseas varieties of pears to a baby until 5 years old.

When shopping for pears at the market or grocery store, look for pears that are slightly ripe but not too soft. It is unripe pears that will lie down a little, since this fruit always deteriorates quickly.

The fruit must have a smooth skin that is free from dents, dark spots, rot, mold and punctures.

Some pears are multicolored and have brown mottled spots, which may indicate that the pear has a more intense taste. Since pears are a very perishable product, they are sold solid in stores. To speed up the ripening process, place the pears in a paper bag and keep them at room temperature.

Do not store pears near strong-smelling foods, as the fruit tends to absorb other people's odors.

Pears are best stored at room temperature so they can last a couple of days. If the pears are wrapped in a paper bag and put in the refrigerator, then you can keep the fruit for 4-7 days, depending on the variety.

Pears can still be stored frozen and as dried fruits.

Freezing pears

Pear purée may change color when pureed, taste may also change, freezes well, may be gritty/liquid when thawed. It is best to mix pear puree with other fruits. You can also freeze the slices and then grate them before cooking. Pear puree can be stored for about 3 months, and frozen pear slices can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Dried fruits from pears

Excellent dried fruits can be made from pears, which are suitable for children's compotes. And you can also eat such dried fruits just like that, they are sweet, tasty, suitable as a snack for tea. True, not every child will taste this delicacy, and it is best to offer it to a child older than 2 years of age, since you can choke on dried fruit.

Dried fruits are easy to prepare in the fruit dryer or in the oven.

Canned pears

Pear puree can be preserved, but baby puree is not very tasty. As I already wrote in the article about preservation, pears must be 100% sweet, otherwise the puree will not be tasty. Moreover, pear puree does not stand well in the refrigerator, after a month almost all the jars fermented and exploded. Therefore, I think that conservation of pear puree is not worth such work, in winter it is easier to get frozen pear slices and prepare fresh puree, albeit from frozen pears. Or to make it even easier, go and buy a jar of baby food.

Contraindications

Do not use overripe varieties of pears, as acetic, lactic acids, and methyl alcohol begin to form in it, these compounds have a bad effect on the intestines.

It should be borne in mind that pears should be given to babies after a full meal, after 30 minutes, while taking pear puree, you should also not give the baby water to drink. Pears also do not interact well with meat, dairy products.

How to cook a pear

There are several easy ways to make pear puree.

Steamer . Peel the pear, remove the core and cut into pieces. Place the cooked pear in a double boiler and cook until tender.
Cooker . Peel the pear, chop, then place in a saucepan with enough water to cover the pieces. Cook until tender over low heat.
Baking . Peel and remove the core, cut into quarters and wrap in foil. Bake until done.
Microwave. Peel and core the pear, then cut into slices. Place in a microwave dish and add some water. Cook at high temperature until the pear is soft (time will vary depending on microwave power).

Prepare the pear in one of the above ways, then put the fruit in a blender, blend until smooth, adding additional liquid as needed. You can use a sieve to achieve a puree mass.

Suggested method of consuming pears in baby food

Fresh pears are delicious and can be offered to a baby after 12 months. As a finger food, you can give this fruit from 8 months of age. Since pears are prone to oxidation and quickly change their color to brown, to preserve their color and taste, you can sprinkle them with lemon juice (lemon should be introduced into the baby's complementary foods). Pears are also perfect for baby purees and can be added to baked goods like muffins or bread. The combination of porridge with pears, zucchini and pear, yogurt and pear, cottage cheese and pear are also excellent.

Pear compote and juice

Pear juice is best given after the child reaches 12 months of age, with a good reaction to pear puree. But with pear compote, the baby can be introduced a little earlier, for example, closer to 8 months, but again with a positive introduction of pear puree into complementary foods. The daily norm of pear compote is about 100 ml, which can be divided into several doses and offered to the baby.

Foods that go well with pears:

Peas in complementary foods are necessary for a small child. For diversity and health. Strictly speaking, green peas are not a vegetable. It is part of the legume family, it is a plant that produces pods with seeds inside. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peanuts are also legumes.

However, green peas are usually cooked and sold as vegetables. You can find it frozen, fresh or canned.

The nutritional value of peas is amazing considering the small size of the peas. Did you know that one cup of peas contains more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter, as well as calcium, vitamins A and C, and iron. These wonderful little vegetables are a great first green food for a baby as they are both nutritious and delicious.

Types of peas

Contents:

Since childhood I know that peas can be different. There are sweet varieties that are grown for salad or just to eat, and there are varieties that are good to dry and eat in the winter.

Peas are one of the earliest crops to ripen in spring and can be used in all kinds of culinary dishes.

Peas are fairly easy to grow. The hardest part of growing peas is choosing which variety to grow. There are basically three types of peas: sugar, shelling and brain variety. There are also fodder varieties , but we will not discuss them here. Each goes by several names, which makes the choice even more confusing. But it is important for us to know their differences.

Sugar variety is the sweetest, eaten fresh with the pod.

Peeling variety is used for conservation, long-term storage, it makes delicious soup in winter. Brain peas is always canned.

Pea season from the beginning of June to July, depends on the strip of Russia. In our south, children can already buy from mid-May.

History of peas

When exactly peas were first discovered remains a mystery, however, there are many assumptions. For example, the first appearance of the pea is thought to have been in Central Asia, especially in Burma and Thailand or Afghanistan, the eastern edge of the Mediterranean basin, and the mountain ranges and plateaus of Ethiopia.

Fossilized pea pods found in Switzerland date back to 10,000 years ago. In the 3rd century BC, Theophrastus mentions peas that were sown in the later winter. Pea cultivation is believed to have spread to India, China and Europe in the 2nd millennium BC. Roman legionaries harvested wild peas to supplement their diet in the 1st century BC.

Peas were brought to North America by Christopher Columbus in 1942, where they were quickly adopted by Native Americans. During the Middle Ages, peas were a stable food that kept hunger at bay, and during the early modern era in Europe, unripe fresh peas were prized as a gourmet meal.

Peas became famous in Russia only in the 18th century. It was grown throughout Russia, both in the fields and in the gardens.

Green peas “walked” along the roads of Russia, because they were planted along the roads so that travelers could eat. In Russia, about 200 million cans are canned a year, probably because of the Olivier salad.

Benefits of peas

Compared to vegetables like carrots, peas have higher protein levels. In addition, Pea is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, iron, folate, thiamine, vitamin C and manganese. It also has a high level of vitamin K. One of the health benefits of green peas is blood sugar control.

Peas also contain a unique range of health-promoting phytonutrients. One of these phytonutrients, a polyphenol called coumestrol, has recently come to the fore in research to protect against stomach cancer. A study in Mexico City found that daily consumption of green peas, along with other legumes, reduced the risk of stomach cancer, especially when the daily intake of coumestrol from these legumes was approximately 2 milligrams or more. Since one cup of green peas contains at least 10 milligrams of coumestrol, it will not be difficult for us to get these wonderful health benefits.

Don't forget the unique phytonutrients in green peas that provide us with key antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some researchers are now suggesting that the link between consumption of green peas and legumes and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes may be due not only to the relatively low glycemic index of green peas (around 45-50), fiber or protein in the composition, but also to unusual combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

minerals and vitamins peas

Green peas stand out as an organic food. Agricultural research has shown that planting peas can provide important benefits to the soil. First, peas belong to a category of crops called "nitrogen-fixing" crops. With the help of bacteria in the soil, peas and other crops can extract nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into more complex and usable forms. This process increases the nitrogen content of the soil without the need to add fertilizer. Peas also have a relatively shallow root system that can help prevent soil erosion, and once the peas are harvested, plant debris tends to break down relatively easily to enrich the soil. Finally, crop rotation of peas with other crops has been shown to reduce the risk of pest problems.

Although Green Peas are extremely low fat foods (approximately one-third of a gram of fat per cup), the type of fat and fat-soluble nutrients they contain is impressive. Recent studies have shown that green peas are a reliable source of omega-3 fats in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

One cup of green peas contains approximately 30 mg of ALA. About 130 mg of the essential omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, can also be found in a cup of green peas. This very low but high-quality fat content helps us get important fat-soluble nutrients from this legume, including significant amounts of beta-carotene and small but valuable amounts of vitamin E.

So let's not neglect green peas in summer and dry peas in winter. In the diet of children, this is a very useful product.

Green peas cannot be a first food because they cause discomfort and gas. Russian pediatricians advise introducing green peas to children after 10-12 months, and American pediatricians - after 8 months.

Beans should not be given more than 2 times a week.

Dishes from mature peas can only be given after 2 years of age in soups. Canned peas can be given after 3 years. A portion of the first complementary foods is not more than 30-50 grams, if the child has digestive problems, then let the portion be smaller so that the body gets used to it faster.

Children under 2-3 years old can eat green peas up to 80 grams. Mature grains are given in an amount of not more than 100 grams after 3 years.

Fresh peas can be offered from 2-2.5 years old, only young sweet varieties.

Green peas are considered a hypoallergenic product, so they can be safely given to a child.

green peas complementary foods

There is an opinion of doctors that it is better to give green peas up to 12 months, so that the body learns to digest it, because later it will be more difficult to do.

The first feeding with green peas is in the form of mashed potatoes, which are boiled until cooked and rubbed through a sieve, so it is better absorbed.

Ruth Yaron's book "Super Nutrition for Your Baby" states that whole green peas are dangerous for a child under three years of age, they must be given mashed, ie. crush with a regular fork. I usually just crush them with my fingers before giving them to a child. But we eat it instead of popcorn, so this way, I peel off the green shell, squeeze it with my fingers and give it, this is enough for a two-year-old child so that he does not choke.

Pea soup with smoked meats It is best to introduce a child to the 5th year of life.

peas complementary food

Allergy to green peas and peas

Peas come in several varieties, but green and yellow peas are the most commonly consumed. Pea allergy exists but is not very common. In most cases, pea allergies in children are due to cross-reactivity between peas and other legumes. It is also important to cancel that green peas are considered hypoallergenic , but mature peas are already included in the middle group of allergenic products .

Children may be allergic to peas, especially if they have had an allergic reaction to other legumes. Legumes is a family of products that includes peas, chickpeas, peanuts, beans and lentils, etc.

There is a high degree of cross-reactivity between lentils, chickpeas and peas. In addition, pea allergy can also occur due to IgE-mediated (antibody-mediated) cross-reactivity between peas and peanuts.

A child's body can react to such allergens in peas as isoflavone reductase, globulin, glutelin, vikilin, vivilin. And most importantly, these allergens are resistant to heat and chemical treatment.

Cases of reactions to the inhalation of vapors from cooking peas have been observed. Cases of allergies to boiled peas have also been reported, but no allergies to green peas have been found in these patients.

There is a chance for a child to become allergic to peas over a period of time, especially if the portion is too large. But before giving peas to a child, it is recommended to consult a doctor and always adhere to the 4-7 day waiting rule when peas are introduced into complementary foods or any other food in the diet. It is better to give less than more.

Pea allergy symptoms vary among children. Some symptoms may be mild, while others may be severe. Mild symptoms include rashes, hives, itching in the mouth, throat, lips or entire face, stomach cramps, vomiting and coughing, etc.

Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, labored breathing and rapid heart rate, anaphylactic shock which can cause choking and severe breathing difficulties.

It is best to seek medical attention regardless of mild or severe allergy symptoms. Timely action will help to avoid complications, as well as help in diagnosis and treatment.

How to give green peas to children?

For the first feeding green peas should be boiled in clean water. Beat with a blender and give in the form of pea puree. Babies love bright green puree because of its sweet taste and smooth texture. Depending on how much your child eats, you can store the puree in small bags, ice cube trays, or in a zip-lock freezer bag. Up to 2 years, it is better to give the child only in the form of baby puree. Either neat or mixed with other vegetables.

Why love pea puree?

Versatility: Ideal as a first bean puree for children and as an addition to a range of dishes. It is worth trying to serve peas with fish, seafood, chicken or use as a sauce.
A sensory explosion: pea puree hits all the senses, from delicious taste, fresh aroma to bright green color.
Quick and easy to prepare : Prepare a gentle puree in less than ten minutes.
Available all year round : Using frozen peas means the family can enjoy this puree no matter the season.
Freezing : frozen peas are ideal, either pureed or as peas.

How to select and store peas

Only about 5% of grown peas are sold fresh. The rest are either frozen, or canned, or dry.

When purchasing fresh green peas , we are looking for strong pods, velvety and smooth. Their color should be a lively medium green. Those whose green color is particularly light or dark, or yellow, whitish or mottled grey, should be avoided. Also, don't choose pods that are swollen, soaked in water, or have mold residue. The pods should contain peas of sufficient quantity and size so that they do not have a lot of empty space. It is enough to shake the pod to understand whether it is empty or full. All varieties of fresh peas should be refrigerated as the heat will speed up the formation of sugar in the starch.

Unwashed peas stored in the refrigerator in a bag or unsealed container will keep for several days. Peas are not stored in a pod for a long time, so if you bought a lot, then it is better to peel them and store green peas separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6-12 months.

Unlike round pea pods, sweet pea pods are flat. Choose the smaller size as they tend to be sweeter.

To check the quality of peas, just open one of them and make sure that it is fresh. They should be bright green in color, firm and plump.

Dry peas must be stored in a dry, dark place, preferably in glass. If peas are bought by weight, then we look at the peas themselves so that they are the same color, dry, without mold and dampness, without pests. You can store about 12-24 months, depending on the variety of peas.

Pesticides and peas

Peas in Russia are classified as products with a low pesticide treatment index, apparently because it is relatively easy to grow in any of our territories, it is not whimsical, there is water and sun, it will be happy.

But in 2019, Rospotrebnadzor identified a pesticide, the herbicide 2,4-D acid, in the Mistral brand of peas. Hope they fixed it.

Of course, it is better for children to buy an organic product that is grown without pesticides and nitrates.

complementary food peas

Contraindications

Peas are a difficult product to digest, which complicates the child's gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if children suffer from colitis or enteritis, then you should refrain from the early introduction of peas into complementary foods and consult a doctor. Also, peas can increase gas formation, which will lead to abdominal pain. With frequent diarrhea or constipation, it is also not advisable to give peas in large portions. Green peas are not recommended for kidney disease. Boiled peas also contribute to an increase in uric acid in the body and the accumulation of salts. You can not this product with diseases such as cholecystitis, nephritis, kidney stones, increased blood clotting, gout and any intestinal diseases.

Suggested way of consumption

Steaming or roasting green peas is an easy and healthy way to prepare this vegetable. Throwing peas in ice water after cooking makes for an even smoother puree for your baby! Peas are sweet and delicious, and can be added to children's meals for a nutritional boost.

Up to 1 year, green peas can only be boiled or baked in the oven, and then made into baby puree. After a year, you can cook soups or add 1/3 of green peas to mashed potatoes, you get an interesting color and taste.

The most common cooking method is traditional, when used in combination with vegetables or potatoes. Boiled peas are also often used in salads or with rice. A well-known option is cooking green peas with meat stewing method . Another alternative would be Pea Soup or Delicious Vegetable Puree. In Russia, you can also find pies with peas, pate, pancakes, cutlets, cereals, etc.

My favorite recipe for baby puree is to mix peas and other vegetables in a 1:3 ratio, about 1/3 of a pea. And add the fried onions before beating until smooth. It turns out tasty and satisfying.

Freezing peas

Peas are ideal for freezing. It does not lose taste, texture and smell. What more could you ask for? It can be frozen as green peas or boiled as a soup dressing. I already wrote about pea soup with bacon, how I freeze it in the form of a soup base.

Children's green peas are easy to freeze. In season, green sweet peas are bought, which get rid of the pod, and the peas are washed, dried, and then frozen in special bags. About 600 grams of green peas are enough for me for the winter. I cook soups with it, I make Olivier. Honestly, I stopped buying canned peas. Boiled and put in a salad, more benefits. You can store frozen peas for about 6-12 months. Moreover, it behaves perfectly, ice rarely forms on it, especially if it is frozen correctly.

Someone likes to blanch peas for 1-2 minutes, the shelf life is longer, but I don’t have it for more than 6-8 months.

In general, I recommend frozen over canned peas and acknowledge the benefits of fresh over frozen. Therefore, it is possible to buy fresh green peas, then we buy it, there is no way, we take frozen.

Why is it better to freeze it yourself in summer? But because the stores already sell old green peas. It is not as tender, it is suitable for soups, but not for baby food or salad. Therefore, in the summer I myself choose green peas, I am engaged in separation and freezing.

How to prepare green peas for children?

Remove green peas from the pod, rinse under running water.

Steamed: Put the peas in the slow cooker or steamer and cook for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the variety of peas.

Boil: Put the peas in boiling water, cook over high heat until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Depends on the youth of the peas, the younger, the less time is needed for cooking. Ready peas are tender, it is important that the shell should not burst.

Bake: Peas are baked in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, you can add a little butter for a nice taste.

After cooking the green peas, hold them under cold running water for about 3 minutes to make the puree more tender.

Preparing the puree: Put the cooked boiled peas in a blender and blend until smooth. You can add liquids or breast milk. For children 10-12 months old, you can additionally pass pea puree through a plastic sieve.

How to prepare ripe peas for children?

Mature peas must be soaked before cooking. Ideal for the night, but can be for a couple of hours. Soaking reduces the cooking time by 20-40 minutes. Then you can simply boil in water, the cooking time is up to 2 hours, depending on the degree of splitting of peas.

But I cook all legumes differently. On my site I have already written about this method, but I will repeat.

I throw soaked peas into boiling water. I put in 2 times more water. For about 1 cup of peas, 2 cups of water. And then I cook it for 5 minutes. I usually do this in the morning or at night. To forget about peas for a few hours. After 5 minutes of simmering or boiling, I wrap the pot in something warm and forget about it. Usually about 4 hours of slow cooling is enough for the peas to reach readiness. Very convenient way, economical in terms of electricity.

Finger food and green peas

Only green peas are suitable for finger food (simply because they are tastier and brighter). It is most often chosen by mothers for tweezing. It is ideal to take peas with your fingers and send them to your mouth. Up to 2-2.5 years, it is better to take boiled green peas of sweet varieties, after which you can take fresh ones.

In principle, many doctors are sure that after 12 months it is already difficult to choke on a small pea, but they still advise crushing them with a fork, in order to avoid various situations with suffocation. We also crush fresh peas for the first time.

It is also important to know that if a child swallows a whole pea, then its size allows you to go out naturally in a few days.