I adore pea tendrils for their little corkscrew stems and tiny flower buds clinging to the vines. But mostly, I think, I enjoy these tender greens because the short window of opportunity to enjoy their unique flavor only comes once a year.

What are pea tendrils?

Tender pea greens are among the gifts of springtime produce. They are the the young stems, leaves and curly tendrils of pea vines. (You may also know them by the name pea shoots.)

These pea greens and tendrils are harvested when the pea plant is about 12-18 inches high. They’re fairly common in Chinese cuisine but not frequently used in American recipes.

Green pea tendrils have a flavors that hints of sweet peas but more delicate. But their aroma is more like dewey, fresh cut grass. That have a very short season, so make this dish while they’re available.

I find sweet pea shoots are my farmer’s market each spring. They’re sold by two of my favorite Asian vegetable vendors. However if you don’t know where to buy pea shoot greens near you, you can always try your hand at growing pea vines. The Spruce has a fairly extensive guide to growing and harvesting pea shoots.

How to handle and store pea leaves

If you buy green pea shoots from a grocery store or farmer’s market, store them in the refrigerator and plan to use them within 48 hours. These greens are delicate and won’t last.

To prep green pea shoots, wash and dry them as you would lettuce. Be sure to remove any thick stems. The thicker shoots are tough and unpleasant to try to eat.

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Ways to serve pea shoots for vegans and meat lovers

In addition to sautéing them the way suggested in this recipe, you can use pea greens raw in salads or toss the leaves and tendrils into freshly drained pasta with a splash of olive oil and some salt.

I once read that Alice Waters sautés her pea plant tendrils in duck fat. (This is the kind of cooking tip that sticks with you.) So if you have a spare jar of duck fat laying around, you might want to try swapping the olive oil in this recipe for the richness of duck fat.

Peas and romance

Most of the recipes on our site are ones recommended serving to your date or for a romantic occasion. So I’d be remiss if I didn’t delve into how a plate of tender pea leaves might benefit your romantic life. Although I’ve found no direct references to pea tendrils as aphrodisiac, the fully formed pea does have a history as a food of love.

In fact, peas earned a mention in The Perfumed Garden as aphrodisiac. The reason is probably more nutritional than romantic. You see, both peas and their shoots are packed with nutrients essential to great love making, including vitamin C, folate and fiber.

In addition, this recipe incorporates the aphrodisiac of garlic. Garlic is not only historically aphrodisiac but it might be one of the very best foods for libido and overall health.

TO TRY: More of my favorite side dish recipes

Garlicky Pea Tendrils

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This simple side dish recipe makes good use of a little-known spring vegetable.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Dish Type Side Dish

Cooking Style vegan, Vegetarian

Diet and Health Healthy, low fat

Seasonal Mother's Day, spring

Ingredient Pea Tendrils

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Servings 4 servings

Author Amy Reiley

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb pea tendrils
• 1 tbsp olive oil*
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp cold water

Instructions

• Thoroughly wash the pea tendrils (Be thorough. These greens tend to attract bugs).
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan. Add the garlic and saute until soft, about one minute.
• Add the pea tendrils and saute for an additional 2-3 minutes. (The leaves should still be vibrant green but soft.)
• Season with salt and pepper then remove pan from heat and mix in the water before transferring the tendrils to a serving dish.