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What in the World Are Pea Tendrils? (Recipe: Orange and Avocado Salad with Pea Tendrils)

Jessica Fisher · March 30, 2012 · 11 Comments

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Pea tendrils are a delightful taste of spring and a great way to use the thinnings from your pea patch.

A table topped with different types of vegetables

Early in the month, I instant messaged a friend the following:

i have weird vegetables coming out my ears: kale, collard greens, pea tendrils, and arugula flowers

Yes, indeed, those four cultivars were not things I was familiar with. But, I am happy to report that two weeks later, I am a huge, Huge, HUGE fan of pea tendrils. Love them!

So, here’s the deal: Pea tendrils, I’ve also heard them called pea shoots, are the early stems of the pea plant. Who knew that all the parts of the plant were edible? Not me!

In fact, years ago when we had room to garden, we planted lots of peas, me and my helpers. When it came time to thin the pea patch, we. threw. them. away.

boys standing in a garden

Yes, I’m stunned, too. Evidence, right there by that little boy’s rake. We know better now. Every part is edible and delightfully flavored of peas, but with a salad green type texture. Amazing!

To serve, chop the stems, leaves, and flowers coarsely and rinse well in the salad spinner. Use as you would other greens, like in salad or in sautes. Pea tendrils took this spinach and egg dish over the top.

And it did wonders for our salads as well, adding texture and that slight nuance of peas. The white flowers are pretty, too, not to be confused with the purplish-white arugula flowers, which are also delightful.

close up of a plate of salad

 

Can you tell that I am just loving the arrival of Spring? Check this out. Yum!

orange and avocado salad on a plate
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Orange and Avocado Salad with Pea Tendrils

Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baby greens, pea shoots, pea tendrils
Servings: 4
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Jessica Fisher

Ingredients

  • 6 oz baby greens
  • 4 oz pea shoots
  • 1 orange peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 avocado peeled, pitted, and sliced
  • 1/4 red onion sliced
  • 1 oz feta cheese crumbles (1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup  balsamic vinaigrette
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine the baby greens and pea shoots. Divide among four dinner plates.
  • Divide the orange, bell pepper, avocado, onion, feta cheese, and sunflower seeds among the salads.
  • Serve the salads with the dressing on the side.

Notes

Salad components can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1 salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1680IU | Vitamin C: 88mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg

orange and avocado salad on a plate on blue tableShould you see pea tendrils or pea shoots at your farmer’s market or in your CSA box, snatch them up and enjoy them. So good — and such a beautiful taste of Spring!

Ever tried pea tendrils?

Filed Under: Lunches, Recipe, Salads Tagged With: 30-minute meals, packable, Veggies Most, whole 30

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says

    March 30, 2012 at

    I’ve never heard of pea tendrils, this salad looks awsome though!

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    March 30, 2012 at

    We joined a CSA last year and had our first pea tendril experience! Your posts are getting me excited to get ours! Unfortunately, we still need to wait another month or so since we are behind you in the growing season. (We are in MN). Keep these “crazy” recipes coming please!

    Reply
  3. MissMOE says

    March 30, 2012 at

    I had never had them before they came in my Abundant Harvest box as well. I sauted aspargus and fresh garlic, mixed it with pasta, and added the pea shoots so they just barely wilted. Super yummy!

    Reply
  4. smurphy says

    March 30, 2012 at

    Love pea tendrils! They are so tender and tasty. We have a local restaurant who uses them as a garnish on all of their sandwiches, omelets, and more – yummy!

    Reply
  5. Krissa says

    March 31, 2012 at

    Thanks! I get a box every other week from AHO and recently got some pea tendrils and have been wondering what I should do with them…thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      March 31, 2012 at

      @Krissa, really? We haven’t had any in several weeks. I want some more!

      Reply
  6. steve ripple says

    March 14, 2014 at

    Tendrils are only the parts of the plant that attach to something – those modified leaves that curl around things. Most of what you have pictured are leaves and stems, even flowers. So technically you have pea shoots.

    Reply
    • Jessica Fisher says

      March 14, 2014 at

      I getcha, though the farmer advertised them as tendrils. Trader Joe’s sells pea shoots and they look really different than these.

      Reply
      • Jess M. says

        July 20, 2015 at

        I have heard them called both.

        Reply
  7. Terri and Larry says

    June 30, 2017 at

    We would like to grow these peas to our Florida garden. Are all varieties edible?. Which have you found to be the tastiest?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jessica Fisher says

      July 1, 2017 at

      I don’t know which specific varieties I’ve grown in the past, but we really like sugar snap peas.

      Reply

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