Pea Tendril and Daikon Noodle Salad
I just can’t wait for my CSA shares to start coming in, so yesterday I went to a farmers market in downtown Boston. My hopes were high, and I spent the entire train ride imagining all the fun greens and maybe even baby spring vegetables I’d bring home. When I arrived, the first tent was full of flowers. The next, herbs. Then there was a bread and pastry tent, some more herbs and flowers, and… that was it.
Where are my vegetables!
I milled around the short string of tents, walking up and down the line, desperately trying to find something other than impatiens and coffee cake. Then I started asking myself, “well, do I need a $25 two year old rosemary plant?” I wanted the answer to be yes, but I kept moving. Finally, tucked between chocolate mint and calla lilies was a huge basket of… leaves? Vines? I wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked like I could eat it. The sign said, “Organic Sweet Pea Tendrils – $3/box.”
I marched up and said, “I’ll take a box, please” as the man behind the table was trying to offer me a sample. “oh,” he said, “you’ll just buy some then?” He probably had spent most of the morning explaining what pea tendrils are and handing out samples to convince people that they really are tasty and you really should eat them. But not me! I’m used to buying mysterious vegetables.
I have a bit of an addiction to trying new and interesting greens. I had no idea, of course, that you could eat pea tendrils. I had no clue as to what they tasted like, but I didn’t care! I wanted a box of that leafy mass he was standing behind; I’d figure out the details later. Of course, as soon as I got home I spent an hour googling them, all the while wishing I had asked a few questions when I bought them.
So here’s what I found out: they are usually lightly stir fried in Chinese cooking, but I think that pertains to pea tendrils that are a bit older and sturdier than the ones I bought. The tendrils I came home with were very delicate, almost the same texture as the clover you have growing in your lawn but with crisper stems. I had no desire to cook them at all, so I whipped up this salad. I did keep the asian flavors, though, by using daikon radish and a sesame soy dressing.
I hope I find them again before spring is over. They are deliciously crisp and sweet, and they taste like peas! Their texture is nice balance between the soft leaves and the thin crispy stems. They don’t keep well, so if you find them at a farmers market or elsewhere, be prepared to eat them that day. I hear you can even grow them yourself quite easily, even indoors.
In short, I’m in love with pea tendrils. You should be, too.
This is an excellent coincidence because on the weekend I went to dim sum, and we got this plate of sauteed greens that looked like this. We tried to ask what it was but the waitress just yelled “snow green! snow green!” over and over. So I hypothesized that it was the greens from snow peas, except everyone I’ve mentioned this too said they didn’t think you could eat the greens from peas.
I am delighted, as always, to be right! ;)
What a unique and beautiful looking salad! I will keep my eyes open for them….
They make me think a little of the persian cress I’m growing on my balcony! I might have to add these to my container garden, as they do look deliciously tender – I’m glad to know I’m not the only adventurer in the land of odd vegetables!
Wow. Awesome looking salad. All your food styling/photography is really impressive. I love the latest though with beads of water on the wooden board which makes you automatically think ‘refreshing.’ Great blog! Very inspiring when I’m feeling lazy in the kitchen. I check this site every day, rain or shine.
Woah, does that look amazing! I envy your photography.
firstly, AWESOME photography! i love every single one of your photos & creations! you have got to be the most creative vegan blogger out there (: i love daikon! one day i aspire to be vegan!
anyway, i forgot, what does CSA stand for?
Wow.. a green that tastes like peas.. I am sooo going to look for those.
Wow! Those look very inviting. I love pea sprouts so I am sure I would love these. Our farmers markets are very boring or at least the last time I went. They had lots of chips and homemade salsa, honey, flowers, bread, and a few veggies that were way over priced. I am hoping it gets better. It would be so cool if I found a find like yours.
Fantastic photo!
oooh, i’m completely jealous of your produce find. fresh peas are here for such a short time, but i love them so much. we have someone here who sells “microgreens” at our farmer’s market, so i’ll check there tomorrow for these.
That looks lovely. Don’t dismiss the cooking though! They’re delicious wilted with a little oil and garlic.
I actually have an asian supermarket that sells these! I love them, and so does my bird. I used them in stir fry AND in a salad. Way to go!
… In chinese cusine, we sautee it with garlic, then salt & pepper.. it’s delicious!
So pretty! What great idea. I just got some in my CSA share last weekend and did a light stir-fry too.
We had a lovely CSA in Boston: stillman’s. Which do you use?
Yes! I eat these all the time- they’re about $2 for a huge BOX if you go to a Japanese/Asian market (located in CA). Thanks for the lovely reminder!