Grey peas facts for kids
Grey peas (in Latvian: Pelēkie zirņi) is a super popular snack from Latvian cuisine. It's made from big, grey peas and is a traditional dish enjoyed especially during Christmas in Latvia.
The Story of Grey Peas
People in Latvia have been eating peas for hundreds of years! Long ago, peas were a main food, along with barley and beans. They were really important until potatoes became popular in the 1800s. Today, if you look at travel guides, you'll often see grey peas with bacon listed as a special Latvian dish to try.
These special grey peas, sometimes called pelus, have been grown in Europe since the Stone Age (the Neolithic period). Most gardeners today grow garden peas, which are white, yellowish, or green. These are eaten fresh, dried, or canned. Green peas became popular much later, around the 1600s. Even though they arrived late, they eventually became a favorite. Latvians still love their ancient grey peas. They are proud to share them as a unique food from their country.
A Special Protected Product
In 2015, Latvian large grey peas got a special award! They were added to the European Union's list of protected products. This means they are recognized as a unique food from a specific place. The best type of pea for this dish is called "Retria." These peas are much bigger than other grey peas. About 1,000 "Retria" peas weigh around 360–380 grams.
Even though there aren't many peas in each pod, they are great for cooking. They don't take long to cook and taste really good. The State Institute of Crop Production in Latvia is probably the only place in the world that grows and selects these large grey peas for food. They even created the "Retriver" type of pea there. The special soil and weather in Latvia help these peas grow perfectly.
How to Make Latvian Grey Peas
Want to try making this traditional Latvian snack? Here's a simple recipe:
- Ingredients:
* 500 grams of grey peas * 150 grams of bacon * 80 grams of onion * Salt (add as much as you like)
- Preparation:
* First, soak the peas in water. * Then, cook them gently. It's important not to overcook them so they don't get too soft. * Next, chop the bacon and onions into small pieces. * Fry the bacon and onions in a pan until they are crispy and golden.
When serving, put the peas on a plate. Sprinkle them with salt. Then, mix in the crispy bacon and onions. You can enjoy grey peas with Kefir or sour milk. Some people also like to eat them with beer.
