Pea Tendrils

Pea tendrils, also known as pea shoots or pea sprouts, are young and tender tendrils that grow from the tops of pea plants. They are delicate, leafy greens with thin, curly stems and small, bright green leaves. The taste of pea tendrils is often described as mild and slightly sweet, with a subtle hint of the distinct flavor found in mature peas. The texture is tender and crisp, providing a pleasant crunch.

Prep

Rinse. The whole tendril is edible. Sometimes the stems get a little woody at the ends and can be removed. Eat raw or cooked.

Storing

It's best to use it within a few days for optimal flavor. To store it, place unwashed leaves in a perforated plastic bag or a container lined with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Seal the bag or container loosely to allow for some airflow. Store the bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where it will stay fresh for a few days.

How to use:

• Salads: Add pea tendrils to your favorite salad greens for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
• Stir-fries: Toss pea tendrils into stir-fries towards the end of cooking. Their tender texture and subtle flavor make them a perfect addition to stir-fried vegetables, meats, or noodles.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Layer pea tendrils in sandwiches or wraps to add a crisp and refreshing bite. They can provide a light and delicate crunch, along with a touch of sweetness.
• Soups and Stews: Add pea tendrils to hot soups or stews just before serving. They will wilt slightly, adding a pop of green color and a burst of freshness to the dish.
• Pasta Dishes: Mix cooked pea tendrils into pasta dishes like spaghetti or fettuccine. The tendrils will add a delicate and vibrant element to the pasta, complementing the other ingredients.
• Pesto or Sauce: Blend pea tendrils with garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil to make a flavorful pesto or sauce. Use it as a spread, dip, or toss it with cooked pasta for a quick and vibrant meal.
• Side Dish: Sauté pea tendrils with garlic and olive oil for a simple and nutritious side dish. The gentle cooking will help retain their delicate flavor and texture.

Recipes

• Garlicky Pea Tendrils

Head Lettuce

Lettuce, a leafy green vegetable, is known for its mild and refreshing taste. With its crisp texture and delicate flavor, lettuce offers a light and cooling sensation in the mouth. The leaves are often tender and slightly sweet, accompanied by a subtle hint of bitterness that adds depth to its overall taste.

Prep

Rinse. Remove leaves from the base, chop or add whole leaves. Eat raw or cooked. If the lettuce starts to wilt, you can revive it by soaking the leaves in ice water for a few minutes before patting them dry and using as desired.

Storing

It's best to use it within a few days for optimal flavor. To store it, place unwashed leaves in a bag or a container lined with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Seal the bag or container loosely to allow for some airflow. Store the bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where it will stay fresh for a few days.

Preserving

Freezing: While lettuce doesn't freeze well on its own, you can use the freezing method for preserving lettuce for cooked dishes or for making soups, stews, or smoothies. Blanche or steam the lettuce briefly, then cool it down quickly in ice water and pat dry before freezing in airtight containers or freezer bags.

How to use:

• Salads: Lettuce is a staple ingredient in salads. Use it as a base and layer on other vegetables, fruits, proteins, and dressings to create a refreshing salad.
• Wraps and Sandwiches: Replace bread or tortillas with large lettuce leaves to create healthy and low-carb wraps or sandwich wraps. Fill them with your favorite fillings such as grilled chicken, turkey, or veggies.
• Burgers and Sandwiches: Add a crisp lettuce leaf to your burgers or sandwiches to provide a crunchy and fresh element. It adds texture and helps balance out the flavors.
• Lettuce Cups: Use large lettuce leaves as cups to hold flavorful fillings like stir-fried vegetables, seasoned meats, or grains. This makes for a light and refreshing meal or appetizer.
• Soups and Stews: Add shredded lettuce to hot soups or stews just before serving. The lettuce will wilt slightly and add a refreshing touch to the warm dish.
• Stir-fries: Toss lettuce leaves into stir-fries at the last minute, allowing them to wilt slightly but still maintain some crispness. They add a fresh and vibrant element to the dish.
• Smoothies: Yes, you can even add lettuce to your smoothies!

Recipes

• 37 Lettuce Recipes That Are Anything But Boring

Mung Bean Sprouts

Mung bean sprouts are, crisp, and crunchy sprouts that emerge from germinated mung beans. These sprouts are commonly used in various cuisines, particularly in Asian dishes. Mung bean sprouts have a delicate and mild flavor, with a slight nuttiness.

Prep

Rinse. Eat raw or cooked.

Storing

To store it, place unwashed sprouts in a container lined with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Seal the bag or container loosely to allow for some airflow. Store the bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where it will stay fresh for a few days.

How to use:

• Salad: Add mung bean sprouts to your favorite salad recipe for a crunchy texture and a boost of nutrition.
• Stir-fry: Stir-fry mung bean sprouts with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions for a quick and easy meal.
• Sandwiches and wraps: Use mung bean sprouts as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, along with other vegetables and your favorite protein.
• Soups and stews: Add mung bean sprouts to soups and stews for a refreshing crunch. They are delicious in Asian-style soups like miso soup or tom yum soup.
• Spring rolls: Use mung bean sprouts as a filling for fresh spring rolls, along with other vegetables and your favorite protein.
• Toppings: Use mung bean sprouts as a topping for dishes like ramen, pho, or bibimbap, along with other toppings like scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

Recipes

• Mung Bean Sprout Noodle Stir-fry

Mint

Mint is a fragrant herb known for its refreshing and cooling properties. It features vibrant green leaves that grow on square stems. Its taste is often described as fresh, aromatic, and mildly sweet with a subtle peppermint or spearmint flavor, depending on the variety. Mint is commonly used in both savory and sweet dishes, including salads, teas, cocktails, desserts, and as a garnish.

Prep

Rinse. Remove leaves from stems, chop or add whole leaves. Eat raw or cooked.

Storing

It's best to use it within a few days for optimal flavor. To store it, wrap the fresh mint in a damp paper towel and place it in a plastic bag. Store the bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where it will stay fresh for a few days.

How to use:

• Add it to salads: Tear or chop fresh mint leaves and toss them into green salads or fruit salads for a burst of freshness.
• Flavor drinks: Mint leaves are commonly used to flavor beverages such as iced tea, lemonade, or cocktails. Muddle a few leaves in the bottom of a glass before adding the liquid to release the oils.
• Infuse water: Place a few fresh mint leaves in a pitcher of water for a refreshing infused water.
• Garnish dishes: Sprinkle whole or chopped mint leaves on top of dishes like soups, stews, curries, or roasted vegetables for added flavor and visual appeal.

Recipes

• Mint Grape and Watermelon salad

Radishes

Radishes are small root vegetables known for their crisp texture and slightly peppery flavor. The flesh of radishes is typically firm, crunchy, and juicy, while the skin can range from smooth to slightly rough. They can be enjoyed raw as a snack, sliced and added to vegetable platters, or used as a garnish. Radishes also offer versatility in cooking, as they can be roasted, sautéed, or pickled to enhance their natural flavors. Rinse. Eat raw or cooked.

Storing

Remove greens for radishes. The leaves will continue to draw moisture from the root. Store the radishes and greens separately.

It's best to use the greens within a few days for optimal flavor. To store the greens, place unwashed leaves in a container lined with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Seal the container loosely to allow for some airflow. Store in the fridge. Here it will stay fresh for a few days.

Radish roots can keep for several weeks, sometimes even months, when stored in the fridge.

Prep

Rinse. The whole radish is edible, leaves and root. Eat raw or cooked. If the leaves start to wilt, you can revive them by soaking in ice water for a few minutes before patting them dry and using as desired.

How to use:

• Sliced radishes are a great addition to salads for a crisp and refreshing crunch.
• Radish chips can be made by thinly slicing radishes, tossing them with a little bit of oil, and baking them in the oven until crispy.
• Pickled radishes can be used to add a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to sandwiches, tacos, or bowls.
• Radishes can be roasted or grilled to bring out their natural sweetness.
• Radish greens can be used in salads, sautéed as a side dish, or blended into a pesto.
• Radishes can be grated and added to sandwiches, wraps, or tacos for an extra kick of flavor and texture.
• Radishes can be used as a topping for avocado toast or as a garnish for soups and stews.
• Radish salsa can be made by combining diced radishes, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and lime juice for a fresh and flavorful dip.
• Radish can be added to sandwiches, salads.
• Radishes can also be used in stir-fries, roasted vegetable medleys, or as a side dish sautéed with garlic and butter.

Recipes

• Pickled Radishes
• Roasted Radishes