Garlic Butter Garden Snap Peas

Author: Jessica Milnes

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Garlic Butter Garden Snap Peas

There’s nothing quite like snap peas picked fresh from the garden. They’re naturally sweet and crisp, so I like to keep this recipe simple and let that fresh garden flavor shine. Sautéed in butter with garlic and finished with a little lemon, these snap peas come together in just a few minutes and make an easy side dish for just about any summer meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh snap peas
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Instructions

1. Prep the peas. Rinse the snap peas and trim the ends. Remove any tough strings if needed.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the snap peas and sauté for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them bright green, warmed through, and still a little crisp.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, just until fragrant. Don't let the garlic brown.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the peas.
6. Remove from the heat and finish with lemon zest and freshly grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Snap peas are one of those things that are just so much better straight from the garden. I don't like to do too much to them because they're already sweet and crisp all on their own. A little butter, garlic, and lemon is really all they need. This is such an easy summer side dish and one of my favorite ways to use them when they're coming out of the garden faster than we can eat them.