Peas with ham the Italian way

A side dish of peas and ham may seem a little ordinary. However, once you have tried them Italian style, there is no looking back.

Here is a side dish loved by children but also by adults. Adding the ham makes the peas really tasty. In addition, the preparation is quick and easy.

For most Italians, the only time you might consider dishing peas and ham up, is In spring when peas are in season. But since this dish is difficult to resist, go ahead and use frozen peas. We would recommend that you return to this recipe in the spring and make it with fresh peas to understand the difference, because there really is a difference.

To serve your peas and ham in the way they do in Italy, serve them along side meat and be sure to serve them in a dish of their own in order that people can pass them around the table and help themselves. I remember very well being served peas and ham for the first time in Italy and watching Enzo return for more time and time again. I think the combination of sweetness of the peas pairs excellently with the salty ham. Irresistible!

If you have found this recipe during the spring and are using fresh peas, well done you!! Remember to bookmark this page for future reference since you will need to return to it time and time again 🙂

Peas and ham the Italian way – serves 4 – 6

500 gr fresh or frozen peas
80 gr cooked ham, diced
Half onion, finely sliced
Enough vegetable broth to cover the peas
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Fine sea salt, to taste

Fry the onion with a little oil in a pan.
Add the peas and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the vegetable broth to cover the peas, put a lid on and cook for 10 minutes.
Add the ham and continue cooking for another 5 minutes without a lid, until the broth is dry.
Season with salt before serving.